Government ministry overseeing mining regulation and land administration, currently tackling illegal mining and proposing decentralization of licensing approvals to districts.
… The approval follows the transfer of the Aboso Mining Lease from Adudanfed Company Limited to Global Ore Industries Limited by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on 3 January 2025. …
… Speaking to some of the protesters, they said they will move to several key locations in Accra, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jubilee House, where they intend to present their petition. …
… e necessary directives to the relevant institutions. “His Excellency the President addressed the Western Regional House of Chiefs, announcing a reduction in the land size to 5,000 hectares,” he said. “This was followed by a directive to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources …
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has submitted a new mining bill to Cabinet seeking to decentralise the issuance of mining licences, in a major policy shift aimed at giving local communities a greater role in mining governance. …
… The visit took place at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in Accra. The delegation included Nana Avo Nweah V, Divisional Chief of Tikobo II; Nana Nyamekeh Annor IV, Chief of Bonyere; and Nana Mozuma I, Queen Mother of Amokwaw Suazo. …
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is replacing illegal mining operations in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region with a Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme. …
… The Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are expected to review the company’s compliance, local-content performance, and community development commitments before making a final decision. …
… In a related development, the Sunyani Traditional Council (STC), at a press briefing on Friday, called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, National Security, and other relevant agencies to urgently intervene. …
… He revealed that GoldBod was developing a comprehensive formalisation policy in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission and assured that the government stands ready to provide training and capacity building for operators willing …
… The chiefs are calling on the Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and security agencies to intensify surveillance and clamp down on illegal operators within the reserve. …
Global (Ghana) Ore Industries Ltd has received official approval to operate the Aboso-Bompieso Mine as a large-scale mining company in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region, following a lease transfer from Adudanfed Company Limited on 3 January 2025. The company pledges to create employment opportunities and pursue infrastructure development and local content participation in the host communities.
Global (Ghana) Ore Industries Ltd has received official approval to operate the Aboso-Bompieso Mine as a large-scale mining company in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region, following a lease transfer from Adudanfed Company Limited on 3 January 2025. The company pledges to create employment opportunities and pursue infrastructure development and local content participation in the host communities.
The Ghana First Alliance staged a protest in Accra demanding the government not renew the mining licence of Gold Fields, a South African-owned mining company. The demonstration, linked to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa against Ghanaian businesses, calls for the contract to be terminated and mining concessions handed to Ghanaian operators.
The CEO of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation defended the Lands Commission's decision to gazette 5,000 hectares for the Petroleum Hub project, stating it was based on a written directive from President John Dramani Mahama following his announcement to the Western Regional House of Chiefs on July 30, 2025.
Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has submitted a new mining bill to Cabinet that would transfer licensing approval powers from central agencies like the EPA and Minerals Commission to newly established District Mining Committees, giving local communities greater involvement in mining governance and licensing decisions.
A delegation of Western Nzema traditional leaders, led by Paramount Chief Awulae Kwasi Amakyi III, met with Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah to discuss development issues in the Jomoro Municipality and to support the government's efforts against illegal mining and environmental degradation.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is replacing illegal mining operations in the Ellembelle District with a Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, aimed at reducing illegal mining's harm to communities and water bodies while helping youth transition to responsible, sustainable livelihoods. Small-scale miners are also developing the Anwiah Teleko Bokazo Responsible Cooperative Mining site on an abandoned pit, with government support.
Host communities in Tarkwa—Abekoase, Tebe, Huniso, and Pepesa—are appealing to government to renew Gold Fields Ghana Limited's mining lease, citing infrastructure projects, scholarships, and job creation for local youth. Community leaders warn that contract termination would cause massive unemployment and negatively impact area development, and they urge government to separate the lease decision from ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Residents of several farming communities in Sunyani Municipality say illegal galamsey operators are moving into their areas with armed force and heavy equipment, threatening cocoa and cashew farms. More than 500 farmers have appealed to security agencies for immediate action and say they are prepared to resist what they describe as attempts by "powerful people" to seize their farmlands.
Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi announced procurement of 10 high-tech speedboats for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operational Secretariat to protect river bodies from illegal mining operations, which he described as a grave environmental threat. The initiative builds on earlier support including five pick-up vehicles and GH¢5 million provided to the task force last year.
The Oda Forest Reserve in Bekwai, Ashanti Region, is being devastated by illegal logging, unregulated mining, and encroachment, transforming dense forest into barren landscapes with mining pits and polluted streams. Chiefs and residents are calling for immediate government intervention to prevent irreversible environmental damage.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has rejected claims that National Security operatives aided illegal mining on the Ankobra River, describing the allegations made by arrested suspects as "completely false, misleading and without any merit." The Ministry said preliminary investigations found the claims to be untrue and noted that illegal miners often make baseless accusations against state institutions to evade accountability.
The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the law against illegal mining, warning that four security operatives arrested in connection with galamsey activities will face full legal consequences if the allegations are proven.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has constituted a fact-finding team to investigate allegations linking purported National Security operatives to illegal mining activities following the arrest of four armed illegal miners at Dominase in May, during which the suspects claimed they were acting under the direction of individuals identified as "Ras", "Mambo" and "Nana Teku". The ministry spokesperson said the investigation was prompted by concerns that some NAIMOS operations were allegedly being undermined by persons believed affiliated with National Security.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested four suspected armed illegal miners at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality during a patrol along the Ankobra River on May 20, 2026. The suspects resisted arrest and were found operating with pump-action guns and machetes at an active galamsey site.
The Forestry Commission has handed over 10 forest protection camps and two checkpoints to strengthen the fight against illegal mining, logging and other forest crimes. The handover took place under the UK-Ghana Forest Governance Partnership.
The former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources testified in the High Court that land reclamation on mining concessions constitutes mine support services, which are legally distinct from the assignment or transfer of mineral rights and do not require the same level of ministerial approval under Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act. This testimony formed part of the defence case for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako in the Samreboi illegal mining case.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has defended Gold Fields' application to extend its Tarkwa mining lease, accusing the Institute of Economic Affairs of advancing "material factual inaccuracies" and warning that rejecting the renewal could weaken investor confidence and Ghana's competitive standing in mining.
The government has graduated another batch of Blue Water Guards at the Western Naval Command as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining and protect water bodies. The initiative, launched in 2025, aims to train about 2,000 young people nationwide to monitor rivers, report illegal mining activities, and educate communities on environmental protection; 1,617 trained guards have already been deployed across eight regions.
The National House of Chiefs has rejected a Constitutional Review Committee recommendation to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission, arguing that OASL should remain independent under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to ensure efficient management of stool land revenue and accountability.
The National House of Chiefs has rejected Constitutional Review Committee recommendations to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands with the Lands Commission, arguing the OASL should remain independent to protect stool land revenues and support traditional authorities in land administration.
Operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested three Chinese nationals during a riverine operation targeting illegal mining along the Tano River in Amenfi West District on 14 May 2026. The suspects were found overseeing miners operating Changfan machines on floating platforms and were handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service.
The National House of Chiefs has rejected a Constitutional Review Committee recommendation to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission, arguing that OASL should remain independent because it was created to improve management of stool land revenue, ensure transparency and accountability, and protect traditional authorities' land interests — purposes that would be compromised under the Lands Commission.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat is donating 100 water pumps to the National Service Secretariat to support farming activities across the country. The donation ceremony was set for Tuesday at NAIMOS headquarters and will include discussions on collaboration in combating illegal mining.
The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and key state institutions have reconstituted an inter-agency committee to strengthen monitoring, verification and collection of mineral royalties and mining revenues. The committee, chaired by the acting commissioner of GRA's Domestic Tax Revenue Division, held its inaugural meeting in Accra on 8 May 2026 to address gaps created during institutional transitions and tackle issues like undeclared production and royalty leakages.
The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) has reconstituted an inter-agency committee comprising representatives from Ghana's extractive sector institutions to strengthen monitoring, verification and collection of mineral royalties and mining revenues. The committee, chaired by the Acting Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, held its inaugural meeting on 8 May 2026, focusing on restoring coordination and addressing concerns including undeclared production, royalty leakages and weak regulatory oversight.
Ghana's Minerals Income Investment Fund has reconstituted an inter-agency committee comprising representatives from state institutions including the Ghana Revenue Authority, Minerals Commission, and others to strengthen monitoring, verification and collection of mineral royalties and mining-related revenues. The committee, chaired by the GRA's Acting Commissioner of Domestic Tax Revenue, held its inaugural meeting on 8 May 2026 and aims to address coordination gaps, undeclared production, royalty leakages and weak regulatory oversight in the mining sector.
An Interim Management Committee appointed by government to oversee ADAMUS Resources Limited, a gold prospecting company in Ellembelle District, called on the Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema Traditional Council. The visit followed the government's revocation of three mining leases held by ADAMUS Resources after the Minerals Commission found the company had breached mining laws by releasing its concession to a foreign company allegedly engaged in illegal mining.
The Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action held a high-level gathering in Accra with diplomats, government officials, academics, and development partners to advance nature-based climate solutions across the continent. The Global Lead emphasized that despite Africa's minimal contribution to global emissions, it faces severe climate impacts and possesses rich natural assets including forests and wetlands that should anchor the continent's climate strategy.
Gold Fields CEO Mike Fraser has declared the company will pursue a lease extension for its Tarkwa mine, which expires in April 2027, signalling a major long-term investment plan. The company submitted an application in November seeking an extension of at least another 20 years and plans substantial reinvestment including equipment acquisition and expanded capacity.
A major stakeholder consultation held at Osino-Saman in Fanteakwa South District, organised under the EU-supported BRACE programme in collaboration with the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape, brought together community members, traditional authorities, environmental advocates, and state regulatory agencies to address ecological threats to the Atewa enclave, particularly from illegal mining and unsustainable extractive activities.