President John Dramani Mahama told Catholic bishops that illegal miners have damaged 44 forest areas across Ghana. The country protects 288 forest reserves under official law. Gold miners leave other forests alone because those areas contain no valuable metals. Mahama spoke at a Friday meeting about environmental problems. He blamed foreign people for bringing dangerous mining equipment to Ghana.
Heavy machines destroy large forest areas very quickly. Foreigners brought excavators and chanfan machines that tear up the land fast. These powerful tools cause much more damage than old mining methods. Local people call illegal mining galamsey. The president said foreign involvement made forest destruction much worse.
About 1.5 million young people work at legal and illegal mining sites across Ghana. Many youth turn to mining because they cannot find other jobs. The president called the fight against illegal mining very difficult. Young Ghanaians without skills see mining as easy work that pays money. Economic problems push people toward illegal mining activities.
Heavy machines destroy large forest areas very quickly. Foreigners brought excavators and chanfan machines that tear up the land fast. These powerful tools cause much more damage than old mining methods. Local people call illegal mining galamsey. The president said foreign involvement made forest destruction much worse.
About 1.5 million young people work at legal and illegal mining sites across Ghana. Many youth turn to mining because they cannot find other jobs. The president called the fight against illegal mining very difficult. Young Ghanaians without skills see mining as easy work that pays money. Economic problems push people toward illegal mining activities.
