A Rocha Ghana has defended its assessment that illegal mining is encroaching on more than 50 forest reserves in Ghana, saying the dispute over whether the figure is 44, 51 or another number should be settled through evidence and verification. In a statement issued on Wednesday (September 9), the environmental organisation said its March 28, …
A Rocha Ghana defends forest encroachment figures, lists 57 reserves
A Rocha Ghana has defended its assessment that illegal mining is encroaching on more than 50 forest reserves in Ghana, saying the dispute over whether the figure is 44, 51 or another number should be settled through evidence and verification.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (September 9), the environmental organisation said its March 28, 2026 release, issued as a member of the Coalition Against Galamsey–Ghana (CAGG), identified at least 50 forests facing encroachment linked to illegal mining.
The statement follows comments by Julius Kwame Anthony, spokesperson for the government and Press Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, who said on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on September 8 that 44 forest reserves were affected, based on verification with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
A Rocha Ghana said it welcomes scrutiny of its findings and methodology and will present the evidence, data sources and methodology supporting its assessment at an upcoming press conference.
The organisation said that regardless of whether the final figure is 44, 51 or another number, the underlying concern remains the threat illegal mining poses to Ghana’s forests, biodiversity and water resources.
The forest reserves listed by A Rocha Ghana are:
Western Region: Tonton; Fure River; Fure Headwaters; Angoben Shelterbelt; Totua Shelterbelt; Nueng South; Neung North; Bonsa River; Ndumfri; Subri River; Cape Three Points.
Western North Region: Krokosua Hills; Sui River; Suhuma; Anhwiaso East; Anhwiaso South; Afao Hills; Upper Wassaw; Tano Anhwia; Tano Nimri; Yoyo River; Boin River; Boin-Tano.
Central Region: Bowiye.
Ashanti Region: Opon Mansi; Jimira/Jimira Extension; Tano Offin; Offin Shelterbelt; Asenanyo; Oda River; Denyau Shelterbelt; Bosomtwi Range; Apamprama; Subin Shelterbelt; Supuma; Jeni River; Tinte Bepo Low Impact; Desiri Low Impact; Kwamisa.
Eastern Region: Birim; Pra-Anum; Atewa Range Extension; Aiyaola; Atewa Range; Southern Scarp.
Savannah Region: Yerada.
Upper East Region: Red Volta East; Red Volta West; Tankwidi East.
Other reserves listed: Draw River; Ebi River Shelterbelt; Pra Suhien 1; Tano Ehuro; Dampia Range; Pompo Headwaters; Mamang River; Auro River.
A Rocha Ghana said it wants the debate to focus on establishing the facts rather than allowing differences in figures to overshadow the continuing threat to Ghana’s forest reserves.
