Cancel ‘Selfish’ Plan to Mine Draw River Forest

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to cancel two mining licences held by Betterland Ghana Limited for operations in the Draw River Forest Reserve in the Western Region, warning that any mining activities could threaten the forest’s biodiversity, water sources and surrounding communities.

In a petition dated October 13, 2026, the coalition called for immediate cancellation of mining licences ML-2/234 and ML-2/236, which covered significant portions of the forest reserve in the Nzema East Municipality.

According to the group, the reserve, classified as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA), is the most intact forest remaining in the Egila (Dwira) area, where illegal mining has already destroyed rivers and streams and left dangerous open pits.

It said the Draw River, which originates in the reserve, had been affected by illegal mining, while nearby farming communities faced growing threats from pollution and flooding.

The petition, signed by coalition convenor, including its members, Kenneth Ashigbey, Senyo Hosi, Daryl Bosu and Awula Serwah noted that the forest provided habitats for rare, threatened and endemic species, as well as medicinal plants and food resources relied on by rural households.

The coalition is asking President Mahama to publicly declare that no mining will be permitted in the Draw River Forest Reserve under the two licences.

It also wants the President to direct the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to cancel licence ML-2/236 and withdraw ML-2/234 from ratification or, if it has already been laid before Parliament, urge the House to reject it.

The coalition further called for an immediate halt to all mining-related activities, including the mobilisation of equipment and site preparation in the reserve. It urged the Forestry Commission to secure the forest’s boundaries and refrain from issuing permits for mining activities.

CAGG also proposed a nationwide audit of mining rights that overlap with Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas, with affected licences cancelled or overlapping areas excluded where necessary.

The coalition requested written confirmation of the government’s response within 30 days.

It said the two mining rights held by Betterland Ghana Limited covered gold and other minerals, including diamonds and lithium, across adjoining areas of the reserve.

According to the petition, licence ML-2/234 covers approximately 61.93 square kilometres and was executed on August 16, 2024, for a 12-year term ending in August 2036. Licence ML-2/236, which covers 331.42 cadastral units, is expected to expire in 2033.

The coalition argued that the government’s revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462), had restored stronger protection for forest reserves but had not resolved the status of the two existing mining rights.

It maintained that allowing the licences to remain in force undermined the government’s commitment to protecting forests and combating illegal mining.

Production Deadline

CAGG also questioned whether Betterland had commenced commercial production within the 24-month period stipulated in the lease for licence ML-2/234.

It said the deadline expired on August 16, 2026, and argued that if commercial production had not begun, the government might have grounds to act under the lease’s termination provisions.

However, the coalition warned that any mining activities undertaken without the necessary approvals should be halted.

It called on the Minerals Commission to explain what action, if any, it had taken following the expiration of the production deadline.

CAGG also cited an earlier petition by the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group (GEAG), dated May 14, 2024, which reportedly attracted more than 350 signatories and called for the withdrawal of licence ML-2/236.

Another petition, submitted by the Gwira Youth Development Association (GYDA) on June 28, 2026, sought clarification from the President on the legal status of Betterland’s proposed activities in the reserve.

The coalition said it was unaware of any public consultation, published environmental assessment or official response to concerns raised in the earlier petition.

Communities Raise Concerns

The coalition also highlighted reports by GYDA about the movement of heavy equipment, security personnel and individuals allegedly linked to mining activities in and around the reserve.

According to the petition, some residents who questioned the activities had reportedly been told that the project had government backing.

The petition further referred to the deaths of a 13-year-old boy, Pius Nkansa, at Adelekezo on December 13, 2025, and Angwah Mensah at Abganzie on May 24, 2026, amid tensions over mining in the Gwira area.

CAGG stressed that it was not drawing conclusions about responsibility for the deaths but called for independent and transparent investigations into the incidents and reports of intimidation.

Calls for Restoration

The coalition wants the government to support the restoration of degraded areas and promote community stewardship involving residents of Gwira and Egila, traditional authorities and local youth.

It maintained that the government had the legal means to protect the reserve and urged the President to act before mining equipment moved deeper into the forest.

The petition was signed by representatives of several organisations, including the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, OneGhana Movement, A Rocha Ghana, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group and other civil society and professional bodies.