By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, is rolling out major upgrades to ecotourism facilities across Ghana’s national parks and resource reserves as part of a broader strategy to protect forest reserves, promote conservation and create alternative livelihoods for communities affected by illegal mining.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, during the Government Accountability Series.
“Our goal is to make conservation pay, so that communities living around these protected areas see more value in preserving the forest than in destroying it,” the Minister said.
According to Mr. Buah, the upgrades will include the rehabilitation of visitor centres, canopy walkways, eco-lodges, nature trails and the introduction of digital ticketing systems in key protected areas, including Kakum National Park, Mole National Park, Bui National Park, Digya National Park and the Ankasa Conservation Area.
He said the Forestry Commission has been tasked with completing the first phase of the rehabilitation programme by the end of 2026.
Mr. Buah explained that the investment in ecotourism forms part of the government’s broader efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, by creating sustainable employment opportunities for communities that depend on forest resources.
“For too long, illegal mining has been the quickest way for our youth to earn income. If we destroy all our forests and water bodies today, what will the next generation inherit?” he asked.
“Ecotourism gives us a sustainable alternative. A healthy forest can employ a tour guide, a lodge operator, a craft seller and a park ranger for decades. A mined-out pit employs no one after six months.”
The Minister acknowledged that illegal mining remains one of the greatest threats to Ghana’s forest reserves and water resources.
He noted that several forest reserves in the Western, Ashanti and Eastern regions have been encroached upon, leading to the pollution of rivers and the destruction of wildlife habitats.
To address the situation, Mr. Buah said the Ministry is deploying additional forest guards, drones and rapid response teams to high-risk forest reserves.
He added that the government is also working with traditional authorities and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prosecute offenders and restore degraded forest lands.
