The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the 糖心Vlog and Technology (KNUST), Professor David Asamoah, has called for stronger national collaboration to tackle illegal mining in Ghana鈥檚 forest reserves and water bodies.
He said the environmental, ecological and livelihood benefits derived from forests 鈥渟hould not be sacrificed for the private interests of a few,鈥 adding: 鈥淚t is in our own survival interest to protect our forests and trees from illegal and destructive activities.鈥
Professor Asamoah was speaking at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF), held under the theme 鈥淔oresters at the Forefront of Change: Tackling Mining Challenges and Advancing Forest Restoration.鈥
He said Ghana鈥檚 288 permanent forest reserves are critical to climate regulation, foreign exchange earnings, job creation and community livelihoods.
Despite ongoing interventions by government and civil society, he noted that illegal mining continues to degrade forests and pollute rivers. 鈥淭he increasing incidences of illegal mining in our forest reserves are causing devastating destruction,鈥 he said.
Erastus Asare Donkor, Assisting News Editor at Multimedia Group, called for a restructuring of the Forestry Commission to equip it with stronger enforcement authority, adequate resources and logistics.
He also urged the use of digital monitoring systems capable of tracking excavator operations nationwide. 鈥淭he technology exists, and we can implement it,鈥 he said.
Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, outlined measures including providing alternative livelihoods for miners, training operational staff in tactical response and forming rapid-intervention teams to support field enforcement.
National President of GIF, Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Attah, said the meeting marked a moment of reflection on the country鈥檚 forest protection efforts.
He stressed the national value of forests and warned that protected sites such as the Achimota Forest must remain untouched. 鈥淎chimota Forest cannot and must not be touched,鈥 he said.
