By Felix Cofie
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has issued a stern warning to operatives of illegal mining in the country that the war being waged by the government against the menace of illegal mining will be relentless, retributive, and firm.
According to him, government is determined to achieve multiple goals of reclaiming lost forest reserves, restoring the colour and quality of water bodies damaged by the galamsey activities, and protecting biodiversity.
He emphasised that until these goals are achieved and an effective, sustainable plan is implemented for the long term, the government will not relent.
Speaking after a fact-finding mission in collaboration with the Ministries of Defence and Interior to rescue the Shelter Belt Forest Reserve, the Lands Minister admonished illegal miners across the country to put down their tools and vacate the forest and river bodies before they are apprehended.
Revealing further details on the operation, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced that thirty (30) hectares of land had been consumed by illegal mining activities in this area alone.
In total, the country has lost about 5000 hectares of land to illegal mining operations in Forest Reserves.
While bemoaning the situation, he declared that the situation cannot be allowed to continue as it poses an existential threat to Ghanaians. He said the President has instructed him to chase out the illegal miners from their hideouts.
“With the unwavering support of my colleagues, the Defence Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah; Interior Minister, Hon. Mutaka; and Dr. Frank Amoakohene, we deployed the military to the forests to clamp down on these illegal operations,” the minister stated.
During the operation, fifteen excavators were seized.
The Minister revealed plans by the government to channel the seized equipment to road construction. He noted that H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s government would not decommission or burn excavators seized at galamsey sites but instead use them for road construction across the country, which he believes is a more purposeful and innovative approach.
“This, however, is not the end. Investigations are ongoing, and we are working closely with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. This is not an exercise in futility. We are resolute in our mission. We will not rest until those responsible for this environmental carnage are held accountable, including their accomplices,” he said.
He also forcefully made the point that the government’s drive to eradicate illegal mining has just kicked off and that despite being in its early stages, successes are being chalked up with the operations on the Offin Shelter Belt forest, in addition to the operation on the Ankobra River, where 7 Chinese nationals and 8 Ghanaians were apprehended.
He also restated the need for Ghanaians to collaborate with the government in the fight, stressing the importance of a holistic force in confronting and eradicating the menace.
“As I have stated before, and I reiterate today, we will not relent in this fight. This is a battle for all of us—every Ghanaian who values our environment, our health, and our future. I urge all well-meaning Ghanaians to join us in this critical fight. Together, we can win this war,” he said.
The Hon. Minister also condemned the recent attack on the Citi FM journalists, stressing that such actions should not be condoned.
