The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has pledged to end mining in forest reserves if elected in the upcoming December 7 polls.
The former President emphasised the importance of protecting Ghana’s forests and expressed concern over the destruction of these reserves for gold mining.
Addressing chiefs and elders in the Central Region, Mr. Mahama stated that, his government would not tolerate mining activities that compromise the preservation of forest reserves.
He highlighted the significance of these forests, noting that some trees have been standing for up to 700 years, preserved by previous generations.
“We are going to stop all mining in forest reserves. Some of those trees existed when our ancestors were here. Some of those trees are 700 years old in those forest reserves. And our ancestors didn’t cut them. Our ancestors left them for us.
“We are going to cut them and what are we going to leave for our children? Savannah, desertification, destroyed environment. And so we must preserve the forest. Yes, it is attractive to get as much gold as we can but that is like cutting your nose to spite your face,” he said.