Forest Under Siege: Draw River Forest Reserve Handed to Miners

The controversial decision to permit mining activities within the ecologically sensitive Draw River Forest Reserve, at Gwira Banso, in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, has sparked outrage among residents, traditional leaders and environmental activists, who have vowed to resist what they describe as an assault on one of Ghana’s most treasured natural assets.

The reserve, renowned for its rich biodiversity, century-old trees and diverse wildlife species, has been leased to a company called, Betterland Ghana Limited for large-scale gold mining operations for a period of ten years, under an agreement executed by former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.

The move has reignited concerns about Ghana’s commitment to protecting forest reserves amid the growing threat posed by both illegal and large-scale mining activities.

Residents say, they are baffled that the agreement remains in force under the current administration, despite persistent opposition from some local chiefs, elders and youth groups.

They argue that the government, led at the sector level by Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has failed to act on repeated calls to revoke the concession and prevent mining activities within or near the reserve.

They also questioned the government’s environmental policy direction, particularly following the widely publicised revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and public assurances regarding the protection of forest reserves.

Documents sighted by The Archives indicate that the concession was granted to Betterland Ghana Limited in May 2023 during the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The agreement was executed by the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and signed on behalf of Betterland Ghana by its Managing Director, Isaac Osei.

The lease is expected to run from May 10, 2023, to May 9, 2033.

According to the company’s approved site plan, the concession covers approximately 62.12 square kilometres, representing about 295 blocks.

While company representatives argued that the concession falls on the periphery of the reserve rather than within its core area, environmental activists strongly dispute that claim.

They insist that, allocating more than 62 square kilometres of land connected to a reserve measuring approximately 235 square kilometres cannot reasonably be described as merely peripheral.

Betrayal of Trust

According to residents, fierce opposition to the concession led Gwira elders to challenge the matter in court in 2024, effectively halting the project after the general election.

However, they claim the company has now returned to the area with renewed confidence, erected signposts and begun preparations for full-scale operations, raising questions about what may have changed to warrant the apparent green light for the project.

“This community fought relentlessly to protect the Draw River Forest Reserve from mining. We therefore find it difficult to understand why the concerns of local people appear to have been ignored,” a community member told The Archives.

Another concerned resident questioned the government’s position, asking: “Why revoke L.I. 2462 and speak against mining in forest reserves only for this reserve to be handed over for mining?”

Environmental advocate and Convener of the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group, Elizabeth Vaah, who is one of the strongest voices opposing the project, warned that mining activities in the reserve could trigger devastating ecological consequences.

“Betterland Ghana must not mine the Draw River Forest Reserve. We should do better than this. Enough is enough. The reserve covers about 235 square kilometres. You cannot allocate 62.1 square kilometres and describe it as the periphery. The people of Gwira fought to keep Draw safe. They must not be betrayed,” she stated.

With tensions rising, residents are preparing mass demonstrations and petitions aimed at compelling government authorities to reverse the decision.

For many environmental advocates, the controversy surrounding the Draw River Forest Reserve has become a critical test of President John Mahama administration’s commitment to safeguarding its remaining forests.

They argue that, allowing mining in or around protected reserves undermines national efforts to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity and protect vital water bodies for future generations.