The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, has unveiled a bold and strategic framework aimed at eliminating the scourge of galamsey.

Delivering a keynote address at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Accra, the Minister laid out a comprehensive five-pillar strategy to prevent conflict, protect the environment, and foster sustainable development.

Speaking under the theme “Combating Illegal Mining in Ghana: Strategies for Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Development”, Hon. Buah underscored the national urgency of the fight against illegal mining, calling on all sectors military, civil society, traditional authorities, and local communities to unite behind a common agenda.

“The battle against illegal mining is not just about the environment. It is about national survival.
“It is about protecting the future of our children, securing our water resources, and ensuring law and order in our mineral-rich communities.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

At the core of the Minister’s address was a meticulously designed five-pillar strategy, each element tailored to address key structural and enforcement weaknesses that have allowed illegal mining to flourish.

The Minister announced a reinforced collaboration between the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, and other security agencies.

This joint force will increase the deployment of personnel to illegal mining hotspots, enhance intelligence sharing, and ensure swift apprehension and prosecution of offenders.

Recognizing the pivotal role of traditional leaders and civil society, the government plans to deepen its engagement with local authorities and media organizations to promote responsible mining and encourage community-led advocacy against galamsey.

A major reform of the mining permit process is underway, aimed at curbing corruption and ensuring that licenses are issued with due diligence.

The goal, the Minister emphasized, is to “introducing greater transparency and accountability in the issuance of mining permits to curb abuse and illegal operations.”

Hon. Buah stressed the need for environmental justice through the aggressive reclamation of lands destroyed by mining. Stricter compliance with environmental regulations will be enforced, with companies required to commit to restoration as a prerequisite for operation.

Government Initiatives Take Root

The Minister also introduced two flagship initiatives aimed at bolstering environmental protection and climate resilience.

In collaboration with the Ghana Navy and the Minerals Commission, the Minister stressed that the “Blue Water Initiative” program will train 2,000 community members to serve as environmental vanguards. Their mission: to safeguard rivers and streams from pollution and illegal dredging activities.

The Minister further noted that a nationwide drive to plant 20 million trees is underway, under the “Tree for Life Reforestation Campaign” with a focus on degraded forest reserves and riparian zones.

The initiative not only seeks to restore biodiversity but also to reinforce Ghana’s climate change adaptation strategy.

Throughout his presentation, the Minister painted a sobering picture of the environmental and economic toll of illegal mining.

Forest reserves are shrinking, rivers like the Pra and Ankobra are increasingly polluted, and entire communities are suffering from health hazards and water insecurity.

“What we are dealing with is not just an environmental problem, it is a multidimensional crisis affecting agriculture, health, national security, and community stability.
“If we fail to act decisively, we risk losing more than our forests. We risk losing our national heritage.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

Hon. Buah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aligning mining policies with real-world challenges.

A full-scale review of existing regulations is underway, and new policy instruments will be introduced to reflect Ghana’s changing ecological and economic landscape.

The address was met with strong support from the attending officers and experts, many of whom emphasized the critical role of the military in enforcing environmental laws and maintaining peace in mining-affected areas.