Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Sulemana Yusif, has urged the international community to strengthen its collaboration with Ghana in the fight against illegal mining, which continues to pose a major threat to the environment and sustainable development.

He made the call during a Commemorative Tree Planting Ceremony held under the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, where he delivered remarks on behalf of the sector Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Mr. Yusif emphasised the Ghanaian government’s firm commitment to tackling illegal mining—locally known as galamsey—but acknowledged that the transboundary nature and growing sophistication of such operations demand deeper international cooperation.

“We can no longer treat illegal mining as a purely domestic issue.

It has evolved into a complex, cross-border challenge that requires unified global action,” he stated.

He outlined a five-pillar national strategy currently guiding the government’s anti-illegal mining efforts:

Reforming the mining licensing regime

Strengthening enforcement mechanisms

Reclaiming and restoring degraded lands

Providing alternative livelihoods for mining-affected communities

Deepening engagement with local and international stakeholders

The Deputy Minister warned that unchecked illegal mining activities are severely damaging Ghana’s forests, water bodies, and arable land, posing a grave risk to long-term national development.

He also used the occasion to highlight Ghana’s broader environmental efforts, particularly the Tree for Life initiative, which aims to plant 30 million tree seedlings in 2025.

The programme forms part of the government’s larger vision to promote urban greening, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management across the country.