An Open Letter to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama Concerning Bauxite Mining in Nyinahin

Dear President John Dramani Mahama,
I am writing this public appeal to you today out of a profound sense of urgency regarding the decision to mine bauxite in Nyinahin.

In December 2025, when your government repealed LI 2462, a legislative instrument which provided the framework for mining in forest reserves, many well-meaning Ghanaians, particularly Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), applauded your decision. International environmental advocacy groups also welcomed this significant milestone, recognising it as a critical step towards protecting Ghana’s remaining forest reserves. We have also heard the strong declarations made by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod (Sammy Gyamfi, Esq.), both of whom have made it clear that forest reserves should be a no-go area for mining. These statements have further reinforced the impression that your government is committed to protecting our forests and will not tolerate mining activities within them.

Mr President, it is against this background that some of us are deeply concerned by reports emerging from your recent visit to Russia, where you reportedly signed an agreement with a Russian company to partner with your government in bauxite mining at Nyinahin. Although the specific location within the Nyinahin area where the proposed mining activities will take place has not yet been made clear, there are growing concerns that the project could affect the Tano Offin Forest Reserve, one of Ghana's important Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs). These concerns are heightened by reports that the new company is expected to take over from local firm Rocksure International, a company previously associated with plans to undertake mining activities in the Tano Offin Forest Reserve in Nhyinahin.

Mr President, I humbly appeal to you not to allow these fears to become reality. Many of us have in the recent past applauded you and your government for taking a firm position against mining in forest reserves. We, therefore, expect this commitment to be reflected not only in public declarations and policy decisions but also in your government's practical actions. Mr President, the question Ghanaians are waiting to have answered is simple: will your government remain consistent in its commitment to protecting forest reserves?

We are watching closely to see whether the repeal of LI 2462 represents a genuine commitment to environmental protection or whether, as some critics have suggested, it was merely a political gesture without any meaningful impact on the ground.

Mr President, kindly bear in mind that Ghana's forests are too important to be sacrificed for short-term economic gains. Furthermore, development and environmental protection must go hand in hand.

Given this, Mr President, I urge you to reconsider the decision to mine bauxite in Nyinahin. It is my sincere hope that you will choose to secure Ghana’s forests today for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Elvis Oppong-Mensah
Natural Resources Governance Expert,

Member, Forest Watch Ghana
Law Student (UK)
Contact: [email protected]