President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s strict stance on environmental protection, insisting that no licenses have been granted for mining in forest reserves since he assumed office.
Addressing journalists at his maiden media encounter on Wednesday, September 10, the President stated:
“Let me be clear: since my administration resumed office, not a single license has been issued to any company to mine in our forest reserves.”
He explained that the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 is intended to formalize the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s forests.
“It is meant to crystallize in law what we have already demonstrated in practice,” he said.
President Mahama outlined a series of aggressive measures against illegal mining, including the deployment of a national task force that has seized hundreds of excavators, water pumps, and other equipment from galamsey operators.
According to him, nine forest reserves have already been reclaimed from illegal miners, while the government’s Tree for Life initiative is restoring lands degraded by legal mining activities.
On accountability, the President assured Ghanaians that his administration remains resolute.
“We’ve not wavered in our commitment for even a moment, neither have we been complacent,” he emphasized.
