Lands Minister rallies media to tackle galamsey menace

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on the media to play a pivotal role in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), stressing the need for objective and sustained coverage to curb the menace.

The call was made during an extensive meeting with representatives from major media houses across the country on Monday, March 24, 2025.

The engagement, initially scheduled for an earlier date, coincided with reports of a violent attack on Forestry Commission officers — an incident Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah described as a stark reminder of the severity of the galamsey crisis and the urgent need for radical and inclusive solutions.

Providing a detailed briefing on the state of illegal mining inherited by the Mahama administration, the Minister revealed that nine forest reserves had already fallen under the control of illegal miners by the time the government assumed office.

He also highlighted alarming water pollution levels, with turbidity levels in water treated by the Ghana Water Company Limited ranging between 5,000 and 12,000 NTU — more than 10 times the permissible limit of 500 NTU.

The scale of land degradation was equally concerning, with illegal mining consuming an area equivalent to 7,500 football fields.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined the government’s five-pillar strategy to combat illegal mining:

1. Enforcement of Existing Laws – Strengthening collaboration with law enforcement agencies to intensify crackdowns on illegal mining operations.

2. Structural Overhaul – Reshuffling monitoring teams to prevent complacency and ensure adequate coverage of mining sites and forest areas.

3. Stakeholder Engagement – Involving traditional leaders, local authorities, and District Security Councils in the licensing process to enhance local oversight.

4. Decentralized Licensing – Shifting the licensing process from a centralized model to a localized one, giving traditional authorities and District Security Councils the first point of approval for mining permits.

5. Media Collaboration – Encouraging the media to remain vocal and objective, avoiding politicization of the issue while amplifying government efforts.

The Minister identified flaws in the current licensing system as a significant enabler of illegal mining, stressing that decentralizing the process would empower local authorities to tighten oversight and accountability.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah urged the media to take an active stance in the fight against galamsey, emphasizing their role as the fourth estate of the realm.

He called on journalists to use their platforms to hold stakeholders accountable and raise public awareness on the environmental and social costs of illegal mining.

The media representatives commended the Minister for his transparency and pledged to use their platforms to support the government’s fight against illegal mining.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith