By: Sarah Baafi
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, addressed Parliament on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, painting a harsh picture of the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
The Lands Minister revealed that out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, 44 are under siege by illegal miners, resulting in the destruction of over 5,000 hectares of forest land. The most affected regions include areas in Ashanti, Western, and Western North regions.
The Minister highlighted the severe pollution of major river systems, including the Pra, Tano, and Ankobra, with cloudy levels far exceeding acceptable limits due to galamsey activities. These waters are further contaminated by toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, posing significant risks to public health and access to clean water.
He stated the illegal mining gangs are heavily armed and equipped with sophisticated weapons, making it difficult for forest guards to control them.
He also revealed the troubling statistics that out of over 800 cases of illegal mining, fewer than 40 have resulted in successful prosecutions.
He outlined a series of short, medium, and long-term measures to combat the crisis. Immediate actions include launching the “Blue Water Initiative” to clean up polluted water bodies, strengthening law enforcement through stakeholder engagement, and reviewing mining sector regulations for radical reforms.
Medium-term plans involve the “Tree for Life” reforestation initiative and stricter enforcement of mining controls through legislative instruments.
The long-term vision focuses on establishing sustainable frameworks for small-scale mining that prioritize ecological preservation.
In a passionate appeal, Mr. Armah Buah called on Parliament and all Ghanaians to unite in the fight against illegal mining, stressing that a collective effort across political lines and within communities is essential to reverse the ongoing environmental degradation and protect Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
