Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has strongly criticized the previous administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its ineffective approach to combating illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey.’ Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo faced considerable backlash for failing to fulfil his 2017 promise to tackle galamsey, despite pledging to make it a top priority of his presidency.
Speaking during his appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged the initial efforts by the NPP but ultimately described their fight as a “failure.” He condemned illegal mining activities, particularly those affecting water bodies, calling them “unacceptable” and emphasizing the need for stringent measures to combat the issue.
The NPP administration initially took strong steps to address mining issues, including a six-month ban on mining activities, which was later extended to nine months,” he noted. “However, after eight years in power, the results are evident—degraded lands, polluted water bodies, and the wanton destruction of forest reserves. These facts clearly indicate that the fight against these environmental issues was a failure.” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah committed to tackling the problem with decisive action and implementing sustainable solutions to protect Ghana’s environment and water resources.
By: Leticia Osei
