President Mahama Vows to Restore Forests Destroyed by Galamsey — Backed by Bold Carbon Credit Reclamation Plan

/ Galamsey devastation affects 16% of Ghana’s forest reserves – Urgent action underway

President John Dramani Mahama has renewed his administration’s pledge to restore Ghana’s forest reserves devastated by illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, through a comprehensive reclamation programme supported by the global carbon credit system.

President Mahama pledges to recover degraded forests using a strong carbon credit strategy
to fight illegal mining.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Catholic Bishops Conference at the Jubilee House, Mahama described the extent of environmental destruction as “deeply troubling,” emphasizing that coordinated national action was urgently needed to reverse the damage.

“Sixteen percent of our forest reserves have been destroyed and encroached upon,” he said. “It will require both reclamation and rehabilitation of the forests. We intend to carry this out under the carbon credit system.”

The carbon credit system allows countries or companies to offset their carbon emissions by investing in environmental conservation projects such as reforestation and forest rehabilitation. Ghana's initiative aligns with global climate goals, presenting a sustainable way to reverse ecological damage while generating revenue.

Despite sustained efforts from past administrations, illegal mining continues to destroy forest reserves, pollute water bodies, and displace communities. Ghana’s forest ecosystem is under increasing pressure, threatening biodiversity and long-term environmental stability.

READ ALSO: Mahama Credits Economic Recovery to NDC Reforms — Unveils Bold Road Projects Under ‘Big Push Programme

To bolster enforcement against illegal mining, President Mahama’s government has introduced the Blue Water Guards initiative, a new strategy designed to:

👉 Protect water bodies from mining pollution

👉 Support anti-galamsey operations across regions

👉 Promote environmental sustainability through community engagement

This initiative forms part of a larger national environmental recovery strategy focused on restoring natural resources and ensuring responsible land use across the country.

The Catholic Bishops Conference welcomed the announcement, commending the administration for placing environmental issues at the forefront of national policy.

They urged the government to match intentions with strict enforcement, education, and transparent community involvement in the fight against illegal mining.

Mahama Vows to Reclaim Galamsey-Damaged Forests:
President Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to ending illegal mining, assuring the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference that the government is on track to restore all forests devastated by galamsey.#ChannelOneNews | #CitiVerify pic.twitter.com/SF9bpJH5iF

— ChannelOne TV (@Channel1TVGHA) May 23, 2025

#Galamsey #ClimateAction #ForestRestoration #CarbonCredit #BlueWaterGuards #JohnMahama #TheMiraspectNews