Ghana’s Forest Reserves: Illegal Mining Settlements

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Deep within Ghana’s vital Subri Forest Reserve, a hidden world thrived, built on exploitation and environmental destruction. This illegal mining settlement, known as *Abrewa Ne Nkran*, wasn’t just a few makeshift tents. It was a vast hub, a shadow city operating outside the law until its recent dismantling. For the African diaspora, watching the plunder of our ancestral lands is painful. It echoes historical patterns of resource extraction that have long plagued the continent. Understanding what happened here is crucial.

On April 15, a joint force comprising the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission entered the Abrewa-Ninkra section. Their mission was clear: dismantle this massive illegal mining operation (GhanaWeb). This wasn’t a small raid; it was a major operation targeting a significant center of *galamsey*, the local term for illegal mining that devastates Ghana’s natural resources. Moreover, the scale of the settlement speaks volumes about the challenges Ghana faces.

The Shocking Scale of Illegal Settlement in Ghana

Imagine a hidden community larger than many towns, nestled within a protected forest. That was *Abrewa Ne Nkran*. Reports indicate it housed over 10,000 residents (YouTube). This wasn’t just Ghanaians seeking opportunity; it was a multinational enclave. People came from Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, drawn into the risky world of illegal gold mining. The existence of such a large, hidden settlement highlights significant gaps in enforcement.

This secret city wasn’t just about mining; it developed its infrastructure. Makeshift brothels, shelters, and various business hubs supported the population (YouTube). Consequently, a complex, self-contained community emerged, hidden from authorities and thriving on illicit activities deep within the Subri Forest Reserve. The sheer audacity is staggering, revealing how entrenched these operations can become.

Criminal Mining Settlements and Exploitation

The *Abrewa Ne Nkran* settlement operated far beyond illegal mining. It fostered a dangerous shadow economy. Authorities uncovered evidence of drug trafficking and money laundering (GhanaWeb). This enclave wasn’t just damaging the environment; it was a hub for organized crime, exploiting vulnerable people drawn by the lure of gold. The human cost is often overlooked in discussions about resource extraction.

Heartbreakingly, the operation revealed severe human exploitation. Trafficking victims, including young foreign nationals, were rescued. Some were forced into prostitution and suffered from drug abuse (GhanaWeb). The dark side of galamsey reveals how economic desperation, often driven by external forces, can lead to the most severe forms of human exploitation. Therefore, dismantling the settlement was also a rescue mission.

Subri Forest Reserve: Scars on the Land

The Subri Forest Reserve, like many of Ghana’s precious natural areas, is under threat. Officials described the ecological damage from the illegal settlement as “an eyesore” (GhanaWeb). Deforestation and mining activities scarred the landscape, destroying habitats and disrupting ecosystems. This destruction affects not only Ghana but the entire planet, diminishing biodiversity and contributing to climate change – issues deeply concerning the African diaspora fighting for environmental justice globally.

While specific data on the Subri reserve wasn’t detailed in all sources, the broader picture of galamsey’s impact is grim. Across Ghana, over 100,000 acres of cocoa farms and forest reserves have been destroyed (Wilson Center). Since cocoa accounts for a significant portion of Ghana’s exports (approximately 10%), this devastation significantly impacts the national economy, particularly rural communities that depend on agriculture. Furthermore, the contamination from mining poisons the land and water for generations.

Understanding Galamsey Ghana: Roots and Reach

Galamsey, derived from “gather them and sell,” started as small-scale community mining but has morphed (Galamsey – Wikipedia). Now, it often involves large, destructive operations fueled by economic hardship and outside interests (Wilson Center). For many locals, galamsey simply pays better than farming or scarce government jobs, despite the immense risks (WIIS Global). This economic desperation creates fertile ground for exploitation.

Foreign involvement, particularly from Chinese investors, plays a significant role. They often acquire farmland, displacing agricultural communities to establish mining sites (Wilson Center; WIIS Global). These investors are attracted by Ghana’s gold and perceived weak enforcement (WIIS Global). Allegedly, local leaders and even some politicians sometimes collude, prioritizing quick profits over long-term environmental and social health (WIIS Global). Ultimately, this complicity allows the destructive cycle to continue.

National Efforts vs. Persistent Challenges

The raid on the Subri Forest Reserve settlement is part of Ghana’s broader efforts to combat galamsey (GhanaWeb). However, these efforts face immense hurdles. Corruption, lack of resources, and weak enforcement undermine anti-galamsey campaigns (WIIS Global). Miners often operate covertly, making detection difficult (WIIS Global).

Even when arrests occur, the judicial system presents challenges. Accused miners frequently get bail and return to mining because trials move slowly, and penalties may not be stringent enough to deter them (WIIS Global). Public frustration is growing, with protests criticizing perceived government inaction and alleged protection of mining interests (Wilson Center). Indeed, overcoming these systemic issues requires a sustained commitment to political will and robust enforcement.

Galamsey’s Toll: Social Justice and Future

The consequences of galamsey fall heaviest on Ghana’s marginalized communities. They face disproportionate health risks from toxins like mercury and arsenic contaminating water sources, leading to severe health problems, including birth defects (Wilson Center). This mirrors environmental racism seen elsewhere, where vulnerable populations bear the brunt of ecological destruction. The destruction of cocoa farms also deepens poverty in rural areas (Wilson Center; ISS Africa).

Dismantling settlements like *Abrewa Ne Nkran* is a necessary step, but long-term solutions are complex. Without viable economic alternatives, displaced residents may simply return to mining (WIIS Global). Furthermore, restoring the ravaged ecosystems requires sustained political will and significant investment, which remain uncertain (Wilson Center). Global demand for gold, met through foreign investment and potentially laundered through shadow financial networks, continues to fuel the cycle (WIIS Global). Addressing galamsey requires tackling poverty, corruption, foreign exploitation, and environmental restoration simultaneously—a monumental task that demands global attention and solidarity, especially from the African diaspora.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.