Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has officially inaugurated 10 new forest protection camps and two checkpoint accommodations amid rising concerns over illegal logging and mining.
The facilities, handed over to the Forestry Commission, were funded and built with support from the UK-Ghana Forest Governance Partnership to combat aggressive deforestation and illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
The facilities, handed over to the Forestry Commission, were funded and built with support from the UK-Ghana Forest Governance Partnership to combat aggressive deforestation and illegal mining, known locally as galamsey
During the ceremony at Numereso in the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Ashanti region, Hon Buah who was deputised by Mr Isaac Essien, Board Chairman of the Forestry Commission, emphasised that the infrastructure represents a pivotal shift in the country’s conservation approach by bringing enforcement directly to the frontlines.
“We cannot fight modern forest crimes from offices in cities or remote ranges,” Hon Buah who doubles as Acting Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, stated, “These new camps are a game-changer for forest protection.”
The tactical presence of the camps is expected to bring forest guards closer to natural resources, enhance 24/7 monitoring, disrupt illegal timber and mineral supply routes, and serve as a deterrent to environmental criminals.
The Minister warned that illegal activities such as mining polluting vital water bodies, logging stripping prime timber species, and farming encroachment are rapidly degrading Ghana’s rich forests.
He urged swift dismantling of illegal operations and assured continued political and policy support from the Ministry.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the UK government for its timely intervention and partnership, representing a renewed collective effort to protect Ghana’s natural heritage.
For his part, Dr Hugh C.A. Brown, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, highlighted significant systemic staffing challenges impeding the state’s protection mandates, disclosing a structural deficit exceeding 2,500 Resource Guards as of early this year, despite infrastructure deployment.
He observed that existing frontline personnel remain heavily overstretched, necessitating immediate interventions in public recruitment, specialised equipment procurement, and general welfare reviews.
Nana Boampim Perko II, Twafoɔhene of the Bekwai Traditional Area, made a bold proposal for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to temporarily close Ghana’s forest reserves for four years.
He argued that years of illegal mining, indiscriminate logging, and hunting have caused severe degradation, and only a sustained pause would allow ecosystems to recover.