By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has alleged that some political ‘apparatchiks’ are behind the wanton destruction of Ghana’s forest reserves.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ellembelle constituency in the Western Region, made the allegation when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, 2025.
The Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources also refuted claims by a section of the general public that international organisations mining in Ghanaian forest reserves were the primary cause of the destruction.
According to him, the cause of the destruction should be rather placed at the doorsteps of political ‘apparatchiks’ whose interference had been a major factor.
The Ellembelle MP expressed his dismay over the severe degradation of forest reserves, attributing it to the unchecked involvement of political figures in mining operations.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah reassured that under President Mahama’s administration, three strategic initiatives would be implemented to mitigate the damage caused by illegal mining. These initiatives include the Blue Water initiative, the Tree for Life initiative, and the Restore Ghana initiative, all aimed at preserving the country’s forests.
“These reputable international organisations who have been mining in our forests are not the reason why our forests are bleeding today. The reason our forests have been degraded and destroyed is because we allowed political apparatchiks to take over our forests and destroy them.
We’re going to stop all these illegal mining activities in our forest reserves with these measures—Blue Water initiative, Tree for Life initiative, and Restore Ghana initiative—to make sure we harness our forests,” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah reiterated.
