The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has affirmed that government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, in order to protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Speaking on Monday, September 15, after receiving a donation from the Ghana Gold Board, Mr. Buah reiterated the administration’s commitment to environmental restoration. “We are determined to ensure that our forests will be green and our water will be blue,” he declared.
The Minister noted that the anti-galamsey campaign is being carried out in close collaboration with other agencies, with the Attorney General’s office directly involved to ensure offenders are prosecuted.
He also highlighted reforms in tracking mining equipment, particularly excavators often used in galamsey operations. “For eight years, tracking of excavators was virtually non-existent. Today, we are working with the Ministry of Transport to geofence all excavators even before they leave the port,” he said.
The new tracking system is aimed at curbing the misuse of heavy machinery in illegal mining. According to Mr. Buah, the government’s stronger focus on enforcement, inter-agency coordination, and technology demonstrates a renewed determination to eliminate galamsey and its devastating impact on the environment.
