The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has announced the government’s plan to establish specialised environmental courts to prosecute individuals involved in illegal mining and unauthorised tree felling.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on June 9, 2025, Mohammed said the move is part of broader efforts to enforce environmental laws and crack down on activities that are destroying Ghana’s natural resources.
“The law is the law, and it must be enforced. Environmental courts will hold accountable those who deliberately destroy our environment, whether through illegal logging or other activities,” he said.
The initiative comes on the heels of the government’s campaign against environmental crimes, particularly illegal mining, also known as galamsey, which has caused extensive damage to water bodies, farmlands, and forest reserves.
Mohammed disclosed that armed groups, including foreign nationals, had taken control of nine forest reserves across the country before being removed by state security forces.
He said the scale of illegal mining now poses national security and diplomatic threats, with the use of dangerous chemicals like mercury affecting agriculture and the country’s cocoa industry.
“These groups use heavy metals like mercury, threatening our water bodies, farmlands, and even cocoa production, Ghana’s second-largest foreign exchange earner,” he stated.
The proposed environmental courts are part of the government’s strategy that employs artificial intelligence to monitor forests besides the collaboration with traditional and religious leaders to promote environmental stewardship.
The minister stressed that the law would be applied without discrimination.
“Whether Ghanaian or foreigner, anyone involved in galamsey will face the law. There’s no witch hunt. President Mahama is committed to resetting Ghana, and we won’t spare anyone,” he warned.
On illegal tree felling and environmental degradation in northern Ghana, Mohammed pointed to harmful practices such as bush burning for rituals and hunting in areas like Dagbon, Mion, Nanton and Yendi.
He said these activities are contributing to desertification and poor soil quality.
“Bush burning is not only harmful to the environment but also to agriculture, as it destroys soil nutrients. The ministry will work with traditional leaders to promote sustainable alternatives,” he noted.
The government hopes that the new environmental courts will play a key role in addressing ecological damage and support efforts to protect Ghana’s land, water, and forest resources.
MRA/VPO
Watch as Muntaka Mubarak criticises Afenyo-Markin in Parliament