Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Lands and Natural Resources Minister-designate, has committed to halting all new mining activities in the country’s forest reserves, should he be confirmed for the role.

During his confirmation hearing before the Parliamentary Vetting Committee on January 27, 2025, Mr. Buah outlined his vision for strengthening environmental protections and sustainable resource management. He stressed that protecting forest reserves from further mining encroachments would be a central focus of his tenure.

“We have made it clear that there will be no new mining activities in forest reserves,” Mr. Buah stated. He added that one of his first actions would be to amend Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which currently permits mining in some protected areas, to ensure that such activities are prohibited.

Mr. Buah’s remarks underscore the government’s ongoing efforts to address environmental concerns, including the adverse effects of illegal mining on forest ecosystems. The proposed policy shift highlights a stronger stance on conservation, aligning with broader efforts to balance economic development with long-term environmental sustainability.

“If given the opportunity, my top priority will be to ensure the protection of our forest reserves from new mining activities,” he said, further solidifying his commitment to environmental stewardship.

Source:TheDotNews