In his 2026 Budget presentation to Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced that the government has declared several of Ghana’s rivers and forest reserves as high-security zones to tackle illegal mining, commonly called galamsey.
Dr. Forson said the devastation caused by galamsey “has gone far beyond economics; it threatens our survival.” To enforce the new measures, 1,000 dedicated security officers have been permanently deployed across water bodies and forest reserves, supported by logistics, surveillance equipment, and rapid response units.
He also outlined new regulations for mining machinery, noting that “all importers of excavators are now required to obtain approval, prior to shipping, from the Ministry of Transport, which must also be verified by shipping companies and the Customs Division before clearance at the ports.”
Since August 2025, all mining equipment must also be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
To monitor mining operations, the Minerals Commission has begun installing electronic tracking devices on all registered mining equipment to track their movement and use in real time.
Dr. Forson further highlighted community initiatives, saying the government is “investing in community-led restoration programmes, working with traditional authorities, youth groups, and mining communities to reclaim degraded lands, restore water bodies, and promote sustainable livelihoods in affected areas.”
The Finance Minister added that these measures form part of a broader vision: “Our forests will no longer shrink, but flourish. Our natural resources will no longer enrich a few but empower an entire nation. That is the Ghana we are building.”
