"Join us in this critical fight against illegal mining" – Lands Minister to Ghanaians

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has issued a passionate call to all Ghanaians to rally behind the government's relentless fight against illegal mining, stressing that the war on galamsey will be pursued with fairness, firmness, and unwavering commitment.

He addressed the media after an operation with both the Ministry of Defence and Interior to reclaim the Shelter Belt Forest Reserve.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s determination to restore lost forest reserves, rehabilitate polluted water bodies, and safeguard the country’s biodiversity.

"We will not take our foot off the pedal until our mission is accomplished. This is a battle for all of us—every Ghanaian who values our environment, our health, and our future. I urge all well-meaning citizens to join us in this critical fight," Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah stated.

During the latest operation, the Minister revealed that 30 hectares of land had been devastated by illegal mining activities in the Shelter Belt Forest Reserve alone, contributing to the nationwide loss of approximately 5,000 hectares of forest reserves.

He warned illegal miners to vacate river and forest areas before facing the full force of the law.

“With the unwavering support of my colleagues—the Defence Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah, Interior Minister, Hon. Mutaka, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene—we deployed the military to clamp down on these illegal operations"

"As a result, 15 excavators have been seized and will be repurposed for road construction instead of being destroyed,” he announced, outlining a novel approach by the government to make use of confiscated equipment.

The Minister also disclosed that the operation on the Offin Shelter Belt Forest follows a similar crackdown on illegal mining along the Ankobra River, which led to the arrest of 15 individuals, including seven Chinese nationals and eight Ghanaians.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that investigations are ongoing and assured Ghanaians that the government, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, is committed to ensuring that perpetrators and their accomplices face justice.

“This is not an exercise in futility. We are resolute in our mission and will not rest until those responsible for this environmental carnage are held accountable,” he declared.

On his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, lauded Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah for taking a hands-on approach in addressing the issue, describing him as a proactive leader who is willing to tackle the menace at its roots rather than merely issuing directives from an office.

“The government is fully committed to winning the war against galamsey. No stone will be left unturned in protecting our rivers and forest reserves,” Dr. Amoakohene stressed.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah further condemned recent attacks on journalists covering illegal mining activities, stating that such acts should not be tolerated in a democratic society. He called for stronger collaboration between the government, security forces, and the media to expose and eliminate illegal mining networks.

“As I have stated before and reiterate today, we will not relent in this fight. We urge all Ghanaians—traditional leaders, youth groups, civil society, and the private sector—to join us in eradicating illegal mining and securing a sustainable future for our nation,” the Lands Minister reiterated.

With the government intensifying its crackdown, it remains to be seen how the collective efforts of security agencies, policymakers, and citizens will shape the future of Ghana’s natural resources.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith