Comparing the size of the de­struction to 7,500 football pitches, he said, over 44 forest reserves, which amounted to 30 hectares, have been destroyed.

He expressed the concern during a tour of the Offin Shel­ter Belt at Anwiafutu in Atwima Mponua district in the Ashanti region to witness the havoc on the forest, mentioning that steps were being taken to secure the green field.

The joint tour with the Regional Security resulted in the seizure of 15 excavators, marking a significant step towards protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies.
    

He mentioned that the confis­cated excavators would be incor­porated into the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines to promote infrastruc­tural development which included roads and drainage constructions in tackling the issue of illegal mining.

He emphasised that the fight against galamsey was not going to be a nine-day wonder, as the perpetrators would be made to face the law.

“This goes to the police offi­cers, this government is strongly behind you to do your job and make sure that you bring perpe­trators who are killing us to book without fear nor favour,” he tasked the police.

Furthermore, the Minister indi­cated that the journey of reclaim­ing destroyed lands had already started and called for public sup­port in the fight against galamsey.

The Minister stressed that the government made a promise to the people of Ghana, and the citizens believed and reposed their confidence in the government to resolve, and that reaffirm our com­mitment to walk that talk.

We made a solemn pledge to rid our forest reserves of illegal mining and to halt all mining activ­ities along and on water bodies.

“What we have witnessed today is a testament to the Government’s unwavering commitment to tack­ling the scourge of illegal mining in our precious forest reserves,” he underlined.

He noted that the galamsey menace was not just a threat “it is an existential crisis that under­mines the very foundation of our environment,

 health, and future, and recognise that the government cannot win the battle alone.”

According to the Minister, government had consistently and unequivocally stated its opposition to any further mining in forest reserves and water bodies and had made it clear that no new leases would be issued for mining in the ecologically sensitive areas.

Dr Frank Amoakohene, Ashan­ti Regional Minister, who had been leading the charge against illegal mining, cautioned that illegal min­ers would not be tolerated.

He vowed to decentralise the fight, emphasising that “legal mining pathways exist, but illegal activities in forest reserves will not be permitted,” and issued a stern warning to those aiding or financ­ing illegal mining, as well as those attacking journalists reporting on the issue.