President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to annul all mining permits granted for operations within forest reserves under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

The government asserts that this initiative is part of broader efforts to preserve Ghana’s natural resources and mitigate the environmental damage caused by unregulated and harmful mining practices.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 14 Ministers of State on Thursday, January 30, Mahama stressed that swift action would be taken to cease mining activities in these ecologically fragile areas. He also affirmed that legal proceedings would be initiated against those responsible.

“Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, you will be charged with the duty of safeguarding the environment from marauding galamsey and managing our natural resources effectively.

“Let me take this opportunity to state that it shall be the policy of this government to ban the issuance of leases for mining in all forest reserves. We shall also move promptly to revoke all leases issued for the same purpose under the previous government.”