Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has delivered a pointed critique of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration regarding its approach to combating illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey.’
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was subjected to significant criticism for not fulfilling his 2017 commitment to tackle galamsey, despite his assertion that he would risk his presidency to confront the issue.
During his testimony before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah recognized the initial initiatives undertaken by the NPP but ultimately characterized their efforts as a “failure.”
He denounced illegal mining operations, particularly those that harm water bodies, labeling them as “unacceptable” and underscoring the necessity for rigorous measures to address the problem.
“It is accurate that the NPP administration commenced with commendable intentions, instituting a six-month ban on mining activities, which was later extended to nine months,” he remarked.
“However, after eight years, the results are evident—degraded lands, contaminated water bodies, and rampant destruction of forest reserves. These facts clearly demonstrate that the fight against galamsey was unsuccessful.”
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah committed to taking decisive action to combat this issue and to implement sustainable strategies aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s environment and water resources.