The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has delivered a powerful call to action against illegal mining during a presentation at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

Speaking on the theme “Combating Illegal Mining in Ghana: Strategies for Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Development,” the Minister stressed the urgent need for a united national response to tackle the galamsey menace.

Addressing a gathering of military officers and stakeholders, Mr. Buah described illegal mining as a serious threat to Ghana’s environment, water resources, and national security.

He emphasised the government's firm resolve to eliminate the practice and outlined a comprehensive five-pillar strategy to guide the fight.

The strategy includes:

Strengthening Law Enforcement: Increased deployment of military personnel in mining hotspots and improved coordination with law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute offenders swiftly.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Building strong alliances with traditional leaders, civil society groups, and the media to promote responsible mining and create widespread awareness.

Reforming the Licensing Regime: Introducing transparency and accountability measures in the issuance of mining licenses to prevent abuse and illicit operations.

Reclamation of Degraded Lands: Launching aggressive land restoration efforts and enforcing strict environmental standards to rehabilitate areas affected by illegal mining.

Promoting Alternative Livelihoods: Supporting mining-dependent communities with sustainable economic alternatives to reduce reliance on galamsey activities.

In addition to the strategic framework, the Minister highlighted two major government initiatives aimed at conserving Ghana’s natural resources:

The Blue Water Initiative: A partnership with the Ghana Navy and the Minerals Commission to train 2,000 community vanguards to protect water bodies from mining pollution.

The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative: A national campaign targeting the planting of 20 million trees to restore degraded lands and boost the country’s climate resilience.

Mr. Buah painted a sobering picture of the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, particularly in forest reserves and river systems.

He called for immediate regulatory reforms and more rigorous enforcement mechanisms to halt the destruction.

“The fight against illegal mining is not just about protecting our lands—it is about safeguarding our future,” he stated. “We must act decisively, and we must act together.”

The Minister concluded by affirming that government policies on mining would be revised to reflect current realities and support Ghana’s broader goals for sustainable development and environmental protection.