Ghana's Forestry Commission has announced plans to seek amendments to its governing laws to grant the institution paramilitary status.

According to the Commission, the move, if achieved, will significantly strengthen its enforcement capacity, especially in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The proposal was disclosed at a media briefing in Accra on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Hugh C. A. Brown.

He explained that the intended legal reforms are necessary to equip the Commission to better protect forest reserves and other natural resources amid rising environmental threats.

Dr Brown reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to intensifying its crackdown on illegal mining and related environmental crimes, noting that enhanced authority and improved protection for officers operating in the field would lead to more effective enforcement outcomes.

“The Forestry Commission aims to consolidate the gains, address emerging challenges and accelerate the transformation of Ghana’s forest and wildlife sector through the following measures: To review the Forestry Commission Act, Act 571, with a view to transforming the Forestry Commission into a paramilitary institution, restructuring and repositioning it to be more effective in confronting current and future challenges, while leveraging growth opportunities,” Dr Brown said.

As part of the broader reform agenda, Dr Brown said the Commission also plans to introduce forest protection camps within forest reserves and rehabilitate existing field camps in wildlife-protected areas to enhance law enforcement and enable early detection of offences.

“Introduction of forest protection camps for forest reserves and rehabilitation of field camps within the wildlife protected areas to improve law enforcement and early detection of offences.”

He further disclosed plans to streamline the operations and resources of the Forest Services Division and the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) checkpoint system nationwide, alongside deepening collaboration with stakeholders to ensure sustainable forest management.

“Streamline the operations and resources of the Forest Services Division and the TIDD checkpoint system across the country. Intensify stakeholder engagement and education for collaborative forest protection and development. Law enforcement on its own cannot achieve the required results. We need to get all stakeholders on board,” he stressed.

According to Dr Brown, the proposed paramilitary status and complementary reforms are critical to strengthening the Commission’s ability to confront present and future environmental challenges while safeguarding Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources.

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