Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, across Ghana.
Speaking during an inspection of reclaimed lands in the Dunkwa Offin area, he emphasized that no individual or group will be shielded in the fight against this menace, which continues to devastate the nation’s environment and water bodies.
“We are not going to shield anybody, and that’s why we are here. We are empowering you to do your job. Let me use the opportunity to also warn those who attacked journalists in the last few days. Your time is up”.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
His remarks followed recent attacks on a Citi FM reporter, whose investigations into illegal mining operations exposed some of the culprits. According to the minister, several individuals involved in the assault have been apprehended and will face trial.
“I understand that they’ve arrested a few of them. We are working with the police to make sure that all those who were involved in the attack against the very hardworking Citi FM reporter are brought to the book and punished. This will serve as a clear example that we will not allow anybody to touch those fighting to keep us alive.
“If you are Ghanaian and you look at this level of devastation and do not stand up and fight, then I don’t know what you fight for. This is war at the heart and soul of our survival as a people, and everybody must be on board. Enough is enough.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
The minister further disclosed that several Chinese nationals and their Ghanaian accomplices had been arraigned before the court as part of ongoing enforcement measures.
He also highlighted collaborative efforts with the judiciary to expedite cases related to illegal mining, adding that discussions with the Chief Justice have yielded a strong commitment towards setting up dedicated courts to handle galamsey-related cases.
“We’ve even proposed to them that we need dedicated courts to prosecute those who decide that they are going to continue on this path so that we can have fast-track justice.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
The Ramifications of Galamsey
The Ellembelle Member of Parliament further lamented the irreversible destruction caused by illegal mining, particularly the pollution of Ghana’s major rivers, warning that if the situation is not contained, the country risks losing its vital water sources.
“The people of Ghana want the right things to be done. Think about it. Look around you. If the Ankobra is gone, the Dunkwa Offin is gone, and all the other major river bodies—the three water systems in Ghana—are gone, we don’t have a country anymore.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
The minister assured the public that the fight against galamsey would be relentless, covering every affected forest reserve and water body until all perpetrators are apprehended.
“We are not stopping. And let me say it again. This fight is going to be relentless. We are moving from one forest to another, one water body to another, until those bad guys are all captured, and their equipment seized.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
He revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has issued clear directives on handling seized mining equipment.
Rather than allowing them to be misused or abandoned, the Lands Minister emphasized that the equipment will be repurposed for the DRIP program, aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands and water bodies.
The minister also hinted at upcoming legislative measures to eliminate loopholes in the current mining regulatory framework.
One of the key proposals is the repeal of LI 2462, which grants the President the authority to issue mining licenses in forest reserves.
“We have made it clear that in the coming weeks, you will see steps taken by the Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology to Parliament for the repeal of Act 2462. This will take away even the power of the President to grant mining licenses in forest reserves. It is gone. There’s not going to be any more.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Sending a strong message to illegal miners operating in forest reserves, Hon. Buah vowed an intensified clampdown on their activities.
“My message today, having reclaimed this shelter belt on the Dunkwa Offin, is to all of the thugs in the 43 other forest reserves: we are coming for you. We are coming after you. You have a choice—leave now, or we will arrest you and your co-conspirators.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
He disclosed that ongoing investigations have identified key players in the illegal mining value chain, including financiers and those renting out excavators for unauthorized operations.
“A lot of them—the entire chain of people involved—are being tracked. Thanks to the efforts of the investigators, we are identifying their financiers and those who sell or rent excavators to them. They are all going to face the full rigours of the law.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Underscoring the long-term commitment to the fight against galamsey, Hon. Buah assured Ghanaians that this will not be another short-lived government initiative
“This fight is not going to stop tomorrow. We are going to fight, and I believe that with the support of the people of Ghana, we will reclaim our forests one at a time and restore our water bodies. We have vowed, and the President is determined.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
He also issued a stern warning to individuals attempting to intervene on behalf of arrested foreign nationals. “Let me warn those who, when we arrest Chinese citizens, will try to call. Yesterday, I got one of those calls. I told them, ‘You’ve done it before, but this will not happen again.’”
With these decisive measures, the government seeks to send an unambiguous message that the era of impunity in illegal mining is over. The fight against galamsey according to the Lands Minister is not just about protecting the environment but ensuring the survival of future generations.
Ghanaians have been urged to rally behind the government’s efforts, as the country moves to reclaim its natural resources and hold all wrongdoers accountable.
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