The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has assured Ghanaians that it is fully in control of the ongoing fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, dismissing suggestions that the scale of the problem has overwhelmed the sector minister.
Media Relations Officer (MRO) at the Ministry, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, emphasized that the Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, remains resolute, experienced, and strategically equipped to confront one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the country.
“The Ministry is not overwhelmed at all. The reason is basically because of the experience and the tenacity of the man at the helm of affairs.
“It is important to put on record that the sector minister has been in the space for a long time and these are not mere gratitude or empty praises.”
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer (MRO) at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
He explained that the minister’s longstanding involvement in public service and his deep understanding of governance and policy give him the leverage to handle the complex dynamics of illegal mining.
The menace of galamsey has left vast tracts of Ghana’s forests destroyed and water bodies heavily polluted, sparking national concern over its environmental, economic, and social toll.
However, Mr. Schandorf was emphatic that the government has both the political will and institutional capacity to reverse the damage.
“While the issues may appear huge, there’s that team to deal decisively with illegal mining and more importantly that political will is equally present and abundant.
“That is why very soon our forests will return to their green state and our waters will become blue once again.”
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer (MRO) at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
He further pointed out that the administration has deployed a coordinated strategy involving multiple agencies to confront illegal mining activities, restore degraded lands, and reclaim polluted rivers.
NAIMOS
A key part of this strategy, according to the Ministry, lies with the National Alternative Livelihood and Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which has been tasked with coordinating interventions and operations aimed at curbing galamsey.
Mr. Schandorf clarified that while allegations occasionally surface regarding abuses during anti-galamsey swoops, none of these have been traced back to NAIMOS, the body legally mandated to lead the fight.
“The point about all of these is that it is NAIMOS that has the mandate to coordinate all of these swoops.
“So, when allegations of this nature are levelled, and we check and examine and realize that it does not involve NAIMOS, then there is no cause for concern.”
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer (MRO) at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
He added that the legitimacy and accountability mechanisms around NAIMOS ensure that operations remain within the law and in line with the Ministry’s long-term vision of responsible mining.
“Because that is the legitimate outfit that has been mandated to lead the fight, and for the fact that no accusation of such nature has been slapped against NAIMOS, there’s no cause for alarm.”
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer (MRO) at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Optimism for Restoration
The Lands Ministry’s assurance comes at a time when environmentalists and civil society groups have raised alarm over the worsening impact of galamsey.
Many rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin, have turned brown due to heavy pollution, while farmlands and forests across gold-rich regions have been degraded.
Nonetheless, the Ministry insists that ongoing measures will gradually restore the environment. Mr. Schandorf projected that visible progress will be seen in the near future, especially as reclamation and afforestation projects are scaled up in affected communities.
The Land Ministry also highlighted the importance of alternative livelihood programs to provide options for those engaged in illegal mining, reducing the socio-economic pressures that fuel the practice.
In defending Minister Armah-Kofi Buah’s handling of the crisis, Mr. Schandorf noted, “He has been around for a long time and he understands the fine nuances and dynamics of public service and politics at large.”
This, he stressed, is why the Ministry remains optimistic about its ability to achieve meaningful results in the fight against illegal mining.
The battle against galamsey has long been one of Ghana’s most difficult policy challenges, involving environmental degradation, community livelihoods, and even international scrutiny over the country’s mining practices.
But according to the Lands Ministry, the combination of strong political will, institutional frameworks like NAIMOS, and the leadership of Minister Armah-Kofi Buah provides a strong foundation for success.
As the Ministry pushes forward with its anti-galamsey campaign, it is calling on Ghanaians to support the ongoing reforms and remain patient as the government works to restore the nation’s green cover and safeguard its natural resources.
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