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We’ve Arrested 1400 Illegal Miners in Just 8 Months Compared to 800 Akufo-Addo Arrested in Three Years — Lands Minister Armah-Kofi Buah
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has declared that the administration of President John Mahama is more committed to fighting illegal mining (galamsey) than the previous Akufo-Addo-led government.
Speaking in a television interview on GTV on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and monitored by Graphic Online, the minister revealed that 1,400 arrests have been made in less than eight months under the current government, compared to just about 800 arrests in almost three years under the previous administration.
Mr Buah disclosed that a total of 440 excavators and more than 800 changfans have been confiscated from illegal miners. Some of this equipment, he said, has been reassigned for state use, particularly by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
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“We have seized 440 excavators and more than 800 changfans, some of which have been repurposed for the Ministry of Agriculture,” he stated.
The minister explained that the clampdown is being coordinated through the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which involves multiple state agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Attorney-General’s Department.
As part of the strategy, more than 400 security personnel are undergoing training in enforcement, licensing, and mining regulations to ensure law-compliant operations.
On policy direction, Mr Buah announced plans to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2501, which amended L.I. 2462, once Parliament reconvenes.
“The Attorney-General is ready, and as soon as Parliament reconvenes, we will take this step. This government is responding to all concerns raised,” he said.
He emphasised that no new mining leases have been issued in forest reserves under the Mahama administration, stressing that all existing leases were granted under the previous government.
The minister further highlighted the government’s environmental restoration drive through the Tree for Life Initiative, noting that the planting target had doubled.
“This year, we aimed to plant 30 million trees but are now planting 60 million, with support from the private sector,” he said.
Additionally, President Mahama has declared all water bodies and forest reserves as national security zones, with permanent military deployments planned to protect them.
Mr Buah acknowledged the scale of the crisis, describing it as “years of devastation inherited” by the Mahama government, but maintained that progress was being made.
“We are under no illusion that this crisis will be solved in eight months. But we are making progress and will strengthen our strategies as needed,” he assured.
He appealed to chiefs, community leaders, and citizens to back government efforts, warning that the destruction of rivers and forests was destroying “the soul of our country”.
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