By Josephine Kekeli Amuzu
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged chiefs and traditional leaders to lead the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
He reiterated that his approach is not about replacing small-scale mining operators affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with those from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), but rather a firm commitment to eradicating the galamsey menace.
Speaking during his first meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi, Armah-Kofi Buah disclosed that the government plans to involve chiefs in the mining licensing process.
However, he appealed to the chiefs for their support in the fight against galamsey to ensure its success.
“As a son of the soil, I have come here to seek your blessings in navigating the ministry and to ask for your utmost support to help us reset this nation for good and for generations yet unborn,” said Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembele.
The Minister further stated, “If we’re to succeed in our fight against illegal mining and against the degradation of our forests and our water bodies, it must be supported and led by the chiefs and traditional authorities.”
The chiefs praised Armah-Kofi Buah’s respectful demeanour and leadership, advocating for a reevaluation of the Community Mines concept to establish a genuine community-owned mining model.
This model would empower local communities to take charge of preventing the devastation caused by illegal mining.
