Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has strongly criticized the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration for its failure to effectively combat illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey.’
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo faced significant backlash for not delivering on his 2017 pledge to tackle galamsey, despite his declaration to stake his presidency on the fight.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged the NPP’s initial efforts but described their overall fight against galamsey as a “failure.”
He condemned the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, particularly the pollution of water bodies and the degradation of lands, stressing the need for a more aggressive and sustainable approach.
“It’s true the NPP administration started very well. There was a six-month ban on mining, which was extended to nine months,” he noted.
“But after eight years, the results are evident—degraded lands, polluted water bodies, and widespread destruction of forest reserves. These outcomes clearly show that the fight against galamsey was a failure,” he stated.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah pledged to take decisive action to address the issue and implement sustainable strategies to protect Ghana’s environment and water resources for future generations.