Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has painted a bleak picture of the destruction caused by illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
The minister revealed that over 40 forest reserves have been invaded, with nine completely inaccessible to Forestry Commission officials.
Addressing Parliament, the Ellembelle MP described the situation as a national emergency, stressing the severe environmental damage illegal mining has inflicted on the country’s forests and water bodies. He warned that if urgent steps are not taken, Ghana risks an ecological disaster.
“Out of 284 forest reserves in Ghana, a staggering 44 have been attacked by illegal miners, leading to the destruction of over 5,000 hectares of forest land—equivalent to about 7,500 football fields,” the Minister disclosed.
He further lamented that illegal miners operate with sophisticated weapons, making it nearly impossible for forestry guards to control them. He also highlighted the alarming levels of pollution in major river bodies such as the Pra, Ankobra, Offin, and Birim, with the Ghana Water Company reporting turbidity levels far exceeding safe limits.
Measures to Tackle Illegal Mining
To combat the menace, Minister Buah outlined a series of short-, medium-, and long-term measures. In the immediate term, the government plans to:
- Enforce a ban on all mining activities within river bodies.
- Strengthen law enforcement and prosecution of illegal miners.
- Engage traditional leaders, civil society groups, and security agencies to form a united front against illegal mining.
The Minister also announced the formation of a working group that will review Ghana’s mining regulations and propose radical reforms to sanitize the sector.
The statement in Parliament sparked heated debate, with several MPs weighing in on the fight against galamsey.
MP for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, emphasized the need for a comprehensive and sustained effort, cautioning that previous security deployments under the Nana Addo administration had become compromised.
Deputy Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, revealed that the government would leverage the 24-hour economy policy to create sustainable jobs as an alternative to illegal mining.
MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, however, cast doubt on the Minister’s ability to succeed, pointing out that some MPs from both sides of the House are allegedly involved in illegal mining. He wished the Minister “tough skin” in dealing with the challenge.
Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, urged Parliament to set aside partisan politics and unite in the fight against galamsey.
Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, announced that the Minister had requested a special forum for MPs to discuss ways to curb illegal mining in their constituencies
Minister Buah concluded his statement with a passionate appeal to all Ghanaians to join the fight against illegal mining.
“We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to protect our environment and secure a sustainable future. The time to act is now—together, we can and must reverse this crisis.”
Source :www.kumasimail.com
