Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has strongly criticized the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s handling of illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey.’

The remarks come after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo faced widespread backlash for his unfulfilled 2017 pledge to tackle the issue, despite vowing to risk his presidency in order to combat the menace.

Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged the initial efforts by the NPP government but described the overall response as a “failure.”

He condemned the continued illegal mining activities, especially those that have devastated water bodies, calling them “unacceptable.” Armah-Kofi Buah stressed the need for stronger measures to tackle the problem.

“The NPP administration started with good intentions, including a mining ban that lasted for up to nine months,” he said. “However, after eight years, the result has been clear—degraded lands, polluted water bodies, and the destruction of forest reserves. These facts point to the failure of the fight against galamsey.”

The Minister-Designate pledged to take decisive action in addressing illegal mining and implementing long-term solutions to protect Ghana’s environment and water resources.

Source:TheDotNews