We will not retreat or surrender in fight against galamsey - Lands Minister

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, spoke during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 15, acknowledging the immense challenges in Ghana's fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey. He reaffirmed the government's determination to win the battle, stating, "The fight against illegal mining is a defining environmental battle that our generation must fight. Our rivers are not for sale, our forests are not expendable, our mineral wealth is a sacred inheritance that we have a duty to protect."

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah described illegal mining as one of the country's greatest environmental threats. He stressed the government's commitment to restoring degraded lands, protecting forests, and reclaiming polluted water bodies. The Minister noted that the fight against illegal mining has proved complex due to the scale of activities across the country, but the government is intensifying efforts through closer collaboration with state institutions, security agencies, and local communities. He emphasized that safeguarding Ghana's natural resources is a national responsibility that cannot be compromised, and that future generations deserve to inherit healthy rivers, thriving forests, and sustainably managed mineral resources. The government will continue to pursue individuals and groups engaged in illegal mining, insisting that the era of impunity is over, and those responsible for destroying the environment would continue to face the full force of the law.