By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister nominee for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has called for a change in how Ghana fights illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking during his vetting on Thursday, January 30, 2025, Mr. Muhammed argued that the Ministry of Environment should lead the fight instead of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. He explained that the Lands Ministry has been accused whether rightly or wrongly of being involved in the galamsey issue and should not take the lead in stopping it.
“If you ask me, I believe the fight against galamsey should be led by the Ministry of Environment, not the Ministry of Lands. The Ministry of Lands has been accused of being part of the problem, so it should not be leading the fight,” he stated.
Ghana has been struggling with the effects of illegal mining, which has damaged water bodies, forests, and farmlands. Mr. Muhammed believes that since galamsey is an environmental issue, the Ministry of Environment should take charge.
He also criticised the previous inter-ministerial committee set up to tackle illegal mining, saying it was surprising that the Ministry of Environment was not included.
“The reason galamsey is such a big problem is because of the destruction of the environment and its effects on people’s lives. That is why the Ministry of Environment should play a leading role,” he added.
Ghana’s fight against galamsey has been ongoing for years, with many calling for stronger enforcement of mining laws. Mr. Muhammed’s comments suggest a possible shift in strategy if he is approved as Minister.
