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Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has sharply criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration for its unsuccessful efforts to combat the illegal mining menace, known as ‘galamsey.’
During his appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, 2025, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged that the NPP administration had taken some early steps in addressing galamsey, such as instituting a ban on illegal mining activities.
However, he strongly criticised the overall impact, describing the NPP’s efforts as a “failure.”
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“It’s true the NPP administration started very well; there was a ban on mining places; it was six months, and it extended to nine months. But at the end of the 8 years, the outcome is what we all know—degraded lands, polluted water bodies, and wanton destruction of forest reserves,” he stated. “These are clearly facts that indicate that that fight against galamsey was a failure.”
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah’s comments come after years of widespread criticism of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s inability to curb illegal mining, despite his 2017 promise to tackle the issue head-on.
Akufo-Addo had vowed to put his presidency on the line to address the galamsey crisis, but many Ghanaians felt his administration’s measures did not live up to expectations, with illegal mining activities continuing to degrade the country’s environment.
The Minister-Designate emphasised that galamsey’s destructive impact on Ghana’s environment has led to significant challenges, including the poisoning of rivers, destruction of forest reserves, and the loss of biodiversity.
He labelled these effects “unacceptable” and reaffirmed his commitment to combating the issue in a more effective and sustainable manner.
“We are looking at the devastating consequences on our water bodies and lands, and this is why we must take decisive action. There can be no more empty promises. We need to implement real solutions that will protect the environment for generations to come,” he said.
Armah-Kofi Buah outlined his plan to tackle illegal mining, including a firm stance on halting mining activities in forest reserves and enhancing the rehabilitation of degraded lands.
He also spoke about the need for a coordinated approach that includes strong collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and environmental groups to restore Ghana’s ecosystems.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister-Designate vowed to take immediate action if confirmed, ensuring that the fight against galamsey is prioritised in his administration. His remarks are expected to be a significant point of focus as his nomination moves forward in Parliament.
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