Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on traditional rulers to take a leading role in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

0

He emphasized that chiefs, as custodians of the land, hold the key to preserving Ghana’s natural resources and ensuring responsible mining practices.

1

Addressing the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday, February 6, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining and its devastating effects on water bodies, forests, and the environment. He urged traditional authorities to unite in the fight against the menace, stating that their leadership is crucial in restoring the nation’s degraded lands and polluted rivers.

2

“Therefore, on behalf of us from this most beautiful region, I would want to implore our traditional leaders to present a united front in leading us to help preserve our region as the shining star of Ghana. Your unity is not just a strength but a necessity to preserve the legacy of this land for future generations. To put it bluntly, the fight against galamsey must be led by our chiefs and traditional authorities in every nook and cranny of this country,” he stated.

3

4

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, who hails from the Western Region, also used the occasion to express gratitude to the chiefs for their support during the 2024 elections and his recent appointment as minister. He acknowledged the region’s contribution to Ghana’s mineral wealth but warned that illegal mining threatens the very resources that have sustained local communities for generations.

5

“I was sworn in last week as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources by the President and assigned this arduous task of driving the campaign to ‘Heal Ghana’ and ‘stop the bleeding’ that galamsey and other illegalities are causing the environment (lands, forests, and water bodies). As a son of this soil, I came to seek your blessings in navigating the Ministry and to ask for your utmost support to help us reset this nation for good and for our generations yet unborn. The biggest challenges today are illegal mining, the pollution of our precious water bodies, and the degradation of forest reserves,” he said.

6

As part of the government's new strategy, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined key policies under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda aimed at reforming the small-scale mining sector. He stressed that mining activities must be properly regulated and conducted in approved areas.

7

“As part of H.E. President Mahama's government Reset Agenda, several policy options and measures have been outlined to help sanitize the mining sector, particularly the small-scale mining sub-sector. We want to ensure that mining operations are not conducted in unapproved areas, such as water bodies, and that the concession holders rehabilitate impacted areas. It is the view of the government that the current licensing regime can be improved by being more inclusive,” he explained.

8

9

The minister announced the abolition of the Community Mining Scheme, arguing that it lacked transparency and failed to include key stakeholders in decision-making. In its place, the government will establish Artisanal Small-scale Mining Cooperatives (ASMCs) to ensure more inclusive participation in regulated mining activities.

10

“The Community Mining Scheme in its current form is not transparent and inclusive enough to be able to address the challenges underpinning its formulation. It is highly partisan, exclusive, and defeatist of its own purpose. We are abolishing it and establishing the Artisanal Small-scale Mining Cooperatives (ASMCs) for community members interested in artisanal small-scale mining. We will facilitate the setting up of mining equipment pools in each small-scale mining district to ensure easy and affordable access to necessary mining equipment,” he revealed.

11

During the engagement, the minister also addressed conflicts within the region’s traditional leadership, urging chiefs to resolve disputes and focus on regional development. He warned that internal divisions could undermine their ability to protect the land from illegal mining and other exploitative activities.

12

The Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, commended the minister for recognizing the role of traditional leaders in resource management. He assured him of the chiefs’ support in implementing policies that promote sustainable mining and protect the environment.

13

In an interactive session, several chiefs raised concerns over land encroachment, weak enforcement of mining regulations, and environmental destruction in their respective areas. They urged the government to extend the Operation Recover All Loot initiative to address land disputes alongside illegal mining challenges.

14

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah assured them of the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers and pledged to maintain open communication with them as the ministry rolls out its new policies.

15

“The Western Region has always been a pillar in Ghana’s development, and it is time we take control of our destiny by ensuring that our resources are managed responsibly. We can no longer allow galamsey to dictate the future of our communities,” he concluded.

16