{
  "id": 746500,
  "title": "We are rolling back the gains – Erastus Asare Donkor on galamsey fight",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/we-are-rolling-back-the-gains-erastus-asare-donkor-on-galamsey-fight",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T08:20:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/we-are-rolling-back-the-gains-erastus-asare-donkor-on-galamsey-fight/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renowned journalist Erastus Asare Donkor expressed concern over Ghana losing ground in the battle against illegal mining. In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Donkor noted that despite significant progress made in protecting forest reserves in 2025, the gains are now being reversed. He highlighted that several forest reserves were previously classified as \"red zones\" by the Forestry Commission due to illegal mining activities, with armed individuals taking control and blocking roads. Notable examples include Tano Amiya, Yoyo, and Offin Shelter Belt forest reserves. Donkor attributed the earlier successes to the Intelligence Chief's (IGP) task force and efforts by NAIMOS under Colonel Boah. However, he warned that this progress is now being undone, with illegal miners gradually returning to previously cleared areas. The Forestry Commission recently reported that illegal miners are once again establishing camps in these reserves. Donkor also raised concerns about miners using metal detectors to infiltrate protected areas, referring to them as \"peeping, the dig and wash people.\" He cautioned that without immediate action, the gains made in combating illegal mining could be completely lost. Donkor also expressed worry over excavators seized during anti-galamsey operations that were later released back to the illegal miners, describing it as a setback.",
  "summary": "Award-winning journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has warned that Ghana is losing ground in the fight against illegal mining, with illegal miners returning to forest reserves previously cleared of destructive activities. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr Asare Donkor said the country had made significant progress in protecting forest reserves in 2025, but that progress is […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana losing ground in fight against illegal mining, despite 2025 progress.",
    "Forest reserves previously classified as red zones now regaining illegal mining activities.",
    "Intelligence task force and NAIMOS efforts initially successful, but progress undone."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The reversal of progress in Ghana's fight against illegal mining undermines earlier successes and allows the activities to regain lost ground, posing a threat to protected forest reserves.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}