Secret Gold Mining Permits in Ghana’s Protected Forests Raise Alarms Nationwide

A growing scandal is brewing within Ghana’s Forestry Commission amid allegations that unauthorized permits have been quietly granted to gold mining companies, allowing them to operate in environmentally protected forest reserves.

According to documents obtained by MyNewsGh, Dr. Hugh Brown, the newly appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, has approved entry permits for three mining companies. These permits allow access to ecologically sensitive forest areas that are meant to be shielded from commercial exploitation.

One particularly troubling case involves the approval of 391.13 hectares of virgin forest land, raising serious concerns about the Commission’s commitment to conservation.

Mining Approvals and Locations

Two companies—FJ Minerals Limited and Amby Limited—submitted their applications on March 24 and March 25, 2025. Both were approved in July after reportedly completing all required payments. The approved mining locations are as follows:

• FJ Minerals Limited – Granted access to the Jimira Forest Reserve
• Amby Limited – Approved for operations in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve
• GBF Associates Limited – Given permission to mine in the Bosomkese Forest Reserve, with the permit suspiciously backdated to May 2024

The permit for GBF Associates Limited is especially controversial, as it carries Dr. Brown’s signature despite being dated before he assumed office. At that time, the Forestry Commission was under the leadership of former CEO John Allotey. This discrepancy has led to speculation about possible document falsification or serious administrative misconduct.

Public Outcry and Demands for Accountability

Environmental organizations and anti-corruption watchdogs have demanded urgent clarification. Ghana’s forest reserves are already under significant pressure due to illegal logging and mining. These new permits, approved with little transparency, have intensified fears that protected lands may be systematically opened up to private interests.

Calls for a parliamentary inquiry have grown louder, with critics questioning whether this is an isolated incident or part of a broader, covert effort to exploit Ghana’s natural resources.

The controversy also casts a shadow over President John Mahama’s environmental promises, particularly his campaign pledge to safeguard Ghana’s forests. Many now question whether such commitments are being honored under his administration.

Recommendations to Prevent Future Abuses

Experts and environmental advocates suggest several key reforms to prevent similar issues:

1. Digital Permit Registry – Develop a public online database for all environmental and mining permits.
2. Independent Oversight – Create an autonomous agency to audit decisions by the Forestry Commission.
3. Harsher Penalties – Enforce strict legal consequences for permit fraud or backdating.
4. Community Involvement – Require public hearings and environmental impact assessments before project approval.
5. Whistleblower Protections – Safeguard individuals who expose corruption or irregularities within government agencies.

As of now, neither Dr. Hugh Brown nor the Forestry Commission has issued any public statement regarding the allegations. The silence has only fueled demands for transparency and immediate government intervention.

Source: mynewsgh