Ghana has appealed for strengthened international cooperation to combat the growing threat of illegal mining, citing the transnational nature and increasing sophistication of these operations.
Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister Sulemana Yusif made the urgent call during the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative ceremony, where he outlined Ghana’s comprehensive five-point strategy to address the crisis.
The government’s approach combines regulatory reforms with environmental restoration and alternative livelihood programs, recognizing that illegal mining poses existential risks to water security and sustainable development. Yusif highlighted the 30-million tree planting target for 2025 as part of broader efforts to rehabilitate degraded lands. Forestry Commission Board Chair Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio and Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir joined in emphasizing the need for coordinated global action, positioning the Green Month initiative as a platform for sustained multilateral engagement on environmental protection.
As Ghana intensifies its anti-galamsey campaign, officials stress that lasting solutions will require both local commitment and international partnerships, particularly in technology transfer, capacity building, and sustainable investment for mining-affected communities.
