Betterland Ghana: Denies Illegal Draw River Forest Reserve Mining

• Betterland Ghana Limited denied allegations of illegal mining in the Draw River Forest Reserve, calling a GTV broadcast false and defamatory.
• The company stated its operations involve lawful expanded exploration under a valid Ghana Minerals Commission mining license, not illegal "galamsey."
• Betterland Ghana claimed GTV used unrelated footage from Atiwa Forest, misrepresenting it as destruction in Gwira Banso.
• The firm asserted daily supervision by the Forestry Commission and strict adherence to Ghana's environmental and mining regulations.
• Betterland Ghana demanded a full public retraction and apology from GTV and Umaru Sanda Amadu for the broadcast.

Betterland Ghana characterized this as a "reckless misrepresentation," constituting a "gross violation of journalistic ethics" and a "breach of professional responsibility," designed maliciously to mislead the public.

Ghanaian firm Betterland Ghana Limited has vehemently denied recent allegations of illegal mining within the Draw River Forest Reserve, dismissing a GTV broadcast as "false, misleading, and defamatory." The company stated on August 13, 2026, that the television report was calculated to damage its corporate reputation. According to Betterland Ghana, the audiovisual material featured in the GTV broadcast was not sourced from the Draw River Forest Reserve at all. Instead, the firm claims that the majority of the footage originated from the Atiwa Forest, yet was deliberately presented as evidence of environmental destruction in Gwira Banso.

Betterland Ghana characterized this as a "reckless misrepresentation," constituting a "gross violation of journalistic ethics" and a "breach of professional responsibility," designed maliciously to mislead the public. The company further accused GTV and its presenter, Umaru Sanda Amadu, of engaging in deliberate misinformation that undermines the credibility of state broadcasting and unfairly maligns Betterland Ghana Limited. The firm also highlighted a significant professional lapse, stating it was never contacted, consulted, or offered an opportunity to clarify the facts before the broadcast, which it views as a serious professional failure and clear evidence of bias.

Betterland Ghana Limited clarified that its activities are strictly confined to expanded exploration works, not illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey." The company asserted that its operations are conducted under a valid Mining License, which was duly issued by the Ghana Minerals Commission after the firm fulfilled all requisite statutory requirements. Betterland Ghana emphasized the crucial distinction between lawful exploration and preparatory works, which are regulated activities, and illegal mining. Any suggestion equating its legitimate operations with criminal conduct, the company stated, is not only misleading but also defamatory.

Furthermore, Betterland Ghana highlighted that its operations are subject to daily supervision by officials from the Forestry Commission, ensuring strict adherence to Ghana’s environmental and forestry laws. The firm explicitly denied operating near any river bodies or cocoa farms, directly refuting claims made in the broadcast. It also noted that the access route currently utilized was established by timber firms long before Betterland Ghana commenced its exploration activities, underscoring that every undertaking remains within the strict confines of Ghana’s comprehensive environmental, forestry, and mining regulations.

The company warned that such "reckless reporting" carries significant potential to damage investor confidence, undermine crucial community relations, and erode public trust in Ghana’s regulatory institutions. Betterland Ghana reiterated its stance that the use of unrelated audiovisual material to depict its operations is misleading, defamatory, and unacceptable, particularly when it imputes criminal conduct to a legitimate corporate entity. The company's operations in the Draw River Forest Reserve are strictly exploration-focused, maintaining its Betterland Ghana Draw River Forest Reserve mining status as lawful.

In response to what it describes as a false broadcast, Betterland Ghana Limited has formally demanded that GTV and Umaru Sanda Amadu issue a full, unqualified public retraction and apology. The firm underscored its commitment to integrity and lawful exploration works, which are conducted under stringent regulatory oversight. It also called upon GTV and Umaru Sanda Amadu to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in their reporting, stressing that the public is entitled to truth rather than sensationalism.

Lawyers advising mining or exploration firms in Ghana should review client operations for strict adherence to license terms and environmental regulations, especially in sensitive areas, and prepare for potential media scrutiny and defamation risks.

Source: Original reporting via Joy Business.