President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining, revealing that illegal miners have been successfully cleared from eight of the nine forest reserves previously ravaged by environmental degradation. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at the Global Mining Summit in Accra, the President described the achievement as a landmark moment in the country’s renewed push to restore degraded lands and promote responsible mining practices. “This is a major milestone in our renewed commitment to reclaim our environment and safeguard our natural ecosystems,” President Mahama said. The clearance operation is part of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at balancing ecological protection with sustainable resource extraction. The President underscored that small-scale miners have a legitimate role to play in Ghana’s development when properly trained and regulated. “Let me be clear: artisanal miners are not enemies of the state,” he stated. “If properly trained and supported, they can become valuable allies in our development agenda. Working together, we will reclaim our forest reserves and restore the purity of our water bodies.” As part of enhanced regulatory enforcement, the government has deployed “river guards” tasked with protecting Ghana’s waterways from illegal mining activities. The President also announced stringent new measures to regulate the use and importation of excavators—equipment frequently implicated in environmental destruction. “We will track all excavators to ensure they are not being used for illegal mining,” he stressed. “Ghana currently has more excavators than the rest of Africa combined. Going forward, no one will be allowed to import an excavator without a valid permit under the new regulatory framework.” President Mahama revealed that the government is partnering with small-scale mining associations to lead land reclamation efforts, signalling a shift toward more collaborative and environmentally responsible policies in the mining sector. This partnership aims to promote sustainable mining practices and restore the country’s natural resources. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially extended the deadline for transitioning to its new gold trading license regime from May 21 to June 21, 2025. Apexnewsgh reports This decision follows multiple petitions from stakeholders within the gold trading industry, who requested more time to comply with the new regulations. Under the revised directive, all persons currently holding licenses previously issued by the now-defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are permitted to continue purchasing and dealing in gold using those licenses until the new deadline. However, GoldBod has made it clear that this grace period is final and non-extendable. After June 21, 2025, only holders of a GoldBod license will be allowed to purchase, sell, or deal in gold. The use of licenses issued by the defunct PMMC or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will be prohibited beyond this date. A breach of this directive will constitute a punishable offense under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140). Effective immediately, the export function tied to old licenses has been revoked. Only GoldBod, as a corporate entity, retains the authority to export small-scale gold from Ghana. This marks a significant shift in gold export control, centralizing the process under a single regulatory body. GoldBod encourages all prospective traders and dealers to begin or complete their license applications via its official website. While the application process remains open beyond the June 21 deadline, the agency reiterated that no trading or dealing in gold will be allowed without a valid GoldBod license after that date. GoldBod calls for continued cooperation from all stakeholders and members of the public as it implements these regulatory reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and national interest in the gold sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

In a bid to combat the growing menace of illegal mining, also known as “galamsey,” the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced a new policy requiring the mandatory registration of all excavators entering Ghana’s ports. Apexnewsgh reports This move, set to take effect on May 1, 2025, aims to track and monitor the ownership and usage of these heavy machines, often used in unauthorized mining operations. According to Julius Neequaye Kotey, Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, the registration policy will enhance accountability and traceability of excavators, ensuring their use aligns with legal and environmentally sustainable practices. By creating a comprehensive database of excavators entering the country, authorities hope to curb the diversion of these machines to illegal mining sites, which has contributed to environmental degradation and undermined lawful mining operations. The decision comes on the heels of concerns raised over the massive importation of excavators, valued at approximately GH¢6.2 billion in 2024 alone, making them the third-largest import item in the country. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has emphasized the need for regulatory measures to monitor excavator usage effectively. The government has pledged to work closely with agencies like the DVLA and the Ministry of Transport to implement systems that track excavator usage. As the implementation date approaches, stakeholders, including importers and operators of heavy machinery, are urged to comply with the new registration requirements. Failure to register excavators may result in penalties or the impounding of equipment, underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing the new policy. The mandatory registration of excavators is part of a broader strategy to curb illegal mining and promote sustainable resource management in Ghana. By regulating the use of heavy machinery, the government aims to protect the environment, ensure lawful mining operations, and promote responsible resource utilization. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, has called on the government to deal with the issue of illegal small-scale mining within two years. Apexnewsgh reports He suggested that the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) should be tied to their ability to fight galamsey. “The KPIs of our newly sworn-in MMDCEs should be tied to their ability to fight illegal mining. This administration must deal with this menace within two years,” Ashigbey said. This approach aims to hold local leaders accountable for tackling the galamsey menace in their areas. The CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, highlighted the severity of the galamsey issue, stating that the activities of illegal small-scale miners are compromising the integrity of the Bui Dam. “Bui Dam is getting compromised…this is a dam we used 600 million dollars to construct,” he said. Tameklo expressed confidence in President John Dramani Mahama’s ability to deal with the galamsey menace, noting that the president is committed to addressing the issue. “I am absolutely confident that President Mahama will fight this, galamsey was terrible for the past 8 years,” he added. The Convener of the One Ghana Movement, Senyo Hosi, described Ghana as a failing state due to the increasing rate of illegal small-scale mining. He called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding foreign nationals creating their own community in galamsey areas, citing national security concerns. A joint team from the Forestry Commission and the Armed Forces raided Abrewa Ninkrane, a notorious galamsey enclave, and set ablaze several makeshift camps used by illegal miners. The operation aimed to protect the Subri Forest Reserve from further destruction. Source: Apexnewsgh.com