Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on the media to actively support the fight against illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey. During a meeting with senior journalists and news editors in Accra, he emphasized the importance of the media in addressing the devastating impact of illegal mining on water bodies and forest reserves. The minister revealed that when the Mahama administration took office, nine forest reserves had already been overtaken by illegal miners, causing severe environmental degradation. He highlighted that the turbidity levels of water treated by the Ghana Water Company Limited were alarmingly high, reaching between 5,000 and 12,000 NTU—far above the safe limit of 500 NTU. Additionally, he noted that illegal mining had destroyed an area equivalent to 7,500 football fields. In response to these challenges, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined a five-pillar strategy to combat galamsey, which includes enforcing existing laws, restructuring monitoring teams, engaging stakeholders, deploying technology, and intensifying public awareness campaigns.
One of the major concerns raised by the minister was the flawed licensing system, which has enabled illegal mining to persist. He explained that the centralized nature of the licensing process excludes local government officials and traditional rulers, weakening oversight and accountability. To address this issue, he announced plans to decentralize the process, making traditional authorities and District Security Councils the first point of approval for small-scale mining permits. This restructuring aims to ensure that mining activities are properly regulated at the community level, reducing the chances of illegal operations going unnoticed. Furthermore, the minister stressed the importance of leveraging technology to monitor mining activities in real-time, allowing authorities to track equipment and operations more effectively. By combining these efforts with strict law enforcement and stakeholder engagement, the government hopes to make significant progress in eliminating illegal mining and restoring affected lands and water bodies.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah also underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse and ensuring transparency in the fight against galamsey. He urged journalists to remain objective and committed to exposing illegal mining activities rather than politicizing the issue. The minister encouraged the media to use their platforms to educate the public about the dangers of illegal mining and to hold relevant authorities accountable. In response, media practitioners at the meeting commended the minister’s approach and pledged to contribute to the national effort by raising awareness and advocating for sustainable mining practices. With a concerted effort from the government, media, and local stakeholders, the fight against illegal mining could see tangible improvements, leading to better environmental conservation and resource management in Ghana.
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