The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says intensified operations against illegal mining in forest reserves have resulted in the arrest of 258 suspects and the seizure or destruction of hundreds of items used in illegal mining activities.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources announced the figures during the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
According to the Minister, the enforcement operations were carried out in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and other security agencies.
He said the exercise led to the seizure and demobilisation of six excavators, 1,225 changfan machines, 765 tricycles and 35 motorbikes.
The Ministry also seized or destroyed 212 additional motorbikes, 430 structures linked to illegal mining activities and 40 gold detectors.
A total of 258 suspects were arrested during the operations and are expected to undergo the applicable legal processes.
The Minister said the intensified enforcement campaign has improved security within forest reserves, adding that Ghana has recorded no “red zones” in its forest reserves since December 2025.
The Ministry said the operations form part of the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which has contributed to deforestation, water pollution and environmental degradation.
In addition to enforcement, the Ministry said it is implementing land reclamation programmes to restore areas affected by illegal mining.
According to the Minister, the government, in partnership with the private sector, has reclaimed 1,535 acres of degraded land in the Ashanti Region, with a further 1,500 acres expected to be reclaimed by the end of 2026.
He added that the government is also independently undertaking reclamation works in selected degraded areas across the country, with a target of restoring 960 acres of affected land.
The Ministry said enforcement operations, land restoration and collaboration with stakeholders remain central to the government’s efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources and rehabilitate degraded landscapes.
