Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, emphasizing that no political connections will shield anyone from facing the full force of the law if caught engaging in galamsey.

During his vetting before the Appointment Committee on Monday, January 27, Mr. Buah pledged to intensify efforts to tackle the illegal mining menace that continues to devastate Ghana’s natural resources.

“We in opposition were very strong on the issue of illegal mining, and as Minister, I pledge to stand with the people of Ghana to fight this menace. It doesn’t matter your status or your political correlation. If you want to engage in mining, there are legal processes for obtaining licenses, and we will ensure that these processes are followed,” he asserted.

Highlighting the persistent challenges with galamsey, Mr. Buah noted that previous interventions had faltered due to systemic weaknesses and insufficient community involvement. He proposed a new approach rooted in transparency and inclusive stakeholder engagement to drive sustainable solutions.

“One of the key interventions we will implement is a new and transparent approach to community engagement. The people in mining areas must understand that the destiny of their communities—their river bodies and forests—rests in their hands. We will empower and respect them, ensuring they become active stakeholders in this fight,” he explained.

Mr. Buah also criticized the current implementation of the Community Mining Scheme, which he described as poorly designed, often excluding local communities from leadership roles and relegating them to menial tasks while external contractors dominate operations.

“That’s not the type of community engagement we envision,” he said, emphasizing the need to reform the scheme by organizing communities into cooperatives and creating designated mining zones where their interests are prioritized.

To address the root causes of illegal mining, the Minister-designate stressed the importance of streamlining the licensing process to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that push miners into unlawful activities.

“No one should have to wait four years for a license. That delay pushes people into illegal mining. We will make the process efficient and accessible to deter illegal activities,” he assured.

Additionally, Mr. Buah outlined plans to collaborate with the Minerals Commission and the Geological Survey Authority to thoroughly map mineralized areas and confine mining activities to specific zones.

“Our ultimate goal is to create a clear pathway for legal mining while dealing ruthlessly with those who engage in illegal operations. By empowering communities and fostering transparency, we can achieve sustainable mining practices that benefit everyone,” he concluded.