Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed the commitment of President John Mahama’s government to fighting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the country.
During his vetting on Monday, He acknowledged past failures in addressing the issue but pledged to ensure that mining licenses are obtained through legal processes, regardless of the political affiliations of those involved.
“We in opposition were strong on the issue of illegal mining. As Minister, I pledge to fight this menace. It doesn’t matter your status or political affiliation. If you want to engage in mining, follow the legal processes, and we will ensure strict enforcement,” he declared.
ArmahBuah identified inefficiencies and loopholes in Ghana’s mining licensing system, which he vowed to address.
He expressed concerns over individuals exploiting the system by holding multiple licenses and engaging in large-scale mining activities without proper classification.
The nominee proposed re-categorizing mining operations and streamlining the process to eliminate inefficiencies.
“For example, one individual holding nearly 50 licenses should be classified as large-scale, but loopholes have allowed such practices to persist. This must change,” he asserted.
The minister-designate also committed to prohibiting new mining activities in forest reserves, reflecting the government’s dedication to environmental conservation.
“We have said that there will be no new mining activities in forest reserves. The intention is to amend L.I. 2462 to ensure the provision allowing for mining in reserves is removed,” he said.
Story By: Emmanuel Coffie
