Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has assured the nation of his commitment to protecting public lands and tackling illegal mining with urgency and transparency during his vetting before Parliament.
In addressing the thorny issue of public lands, Hon. Buah stressed the constitutional importance of these lands, citing Article 257(1), which vests public lands in the President to hold in trust for the people of Ghana.
He underscored the need for strict oversight and accountability, particularly when allocating state lands, adding that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) remains resolute in safeguarding public assets.
“The NDC’s commitment is clear: state lands must be protected at all costs. If there is a critical need to allocate state lands, it must be done at current market value to ensure the people of Ghana are not shortchanged.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle and Minister Designate for Lands and Natural Resources
He criticized the current policy where public lands are valued and sold at only 25% of their market value, a practice he deemed unacceptable. “This approach undermines the true value of public assets and fails to prioritize the interests of the Ghanaian people. Under the new NDC government, such practices will cease,” he emphasized.
Hon. Buah also acknowledged the President’s recent directive to halt the sale of state lands pending thorough investigations and reviews, pledging to adhere to this policy if confirmed.
He vowed to evaluate ongoing and past transactions to ensure fairness and accountability, adding, “Every decision I make will be guided by the principle of protecting the people’s interests.”
During the vetting, Hon. Buah was questioned about the NDC’s characterization of public land grants as “state-looted lands” in their 2024 manifesto. Critics highlighted that land allocation practices under previous NDC administrations followed a formula established in 1995.
The nominee clarified that his focus would be on implementing reforms to prevent undervaluation and misuse of public lands, ensuring fair practices for all stakeholders.
On whether a ban on the sale of public lands would be implemented, Hon. Buah reiterated that while public lands should ideally not be sold, any necessary sales must reflect market value.
Tackling Illegal Mining: A Top Priority
The nominee also addressed the country’s ongoing battle against illegal mining (galamsey), emphasizing the severe environmental toll of previous mining activities.
He described the situation as a “fiasco,” pointing to degraded lands, polluted water bodies, and unprecedented destruction of forest reserves as evidence of failure in previous interventions.
Hon. Buah outlined a proactive approach to curb illegal mining, including enforcing existing laws prohibiting mining on water bodies and prioritizing the restoration of degraded forest reserves.
“Our critical forests and water bodies are under threat, and these issues require urgent and decisive action. If given the opportunity, I will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves”.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle and Minister Designate for Lands and Natural Resources
He also committed to leveraging sustainable forestry practices and biodiversity restoration to reverse the environmental damage caused by galamsey. “We must restore our forests to their original state and ensure biodiversity for the survival of future generations,” he remarked.
As the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Buah faces the twin challenges of safeguarding public lands and reversing the devastating effects of illegal mining.
His promises to prioritize transparency, accountability, and environmental restoration signal a potential shift in policy direction if confirmed.
The vetting session underscored the critical importance of protecting Ghana’s natural resources for current and future generations, with Hon. Buah vowing to lead reforms that ensure sustainable management of these invaluable assets.
READ ALSO: ECG Denies Responsibility for Koforidua Fire Incident
