Just one week after taking office, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has already started interacting with stakeholders and asking the Western Regional House of Chiefs for help in the government's reinvigorated campaign against illegal mining, or galamsey.
At a durbar in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the minister, who is a native of the area, conveyed President John Dramani Mahama's and the entire leaadership's sincere appreciation to the Western Region's chiefs and citizens for their overwhelming support in the 2024 elections. Speaking to the chiefs at the meeting, Armah-Kofi Buah stated that galamsey is a major priority and that the government acknowledges the enormous expectations and responsibilities that the chiefs and inhabitants have placed on them.
He made it clear that the purpose of his visit was to get their backing and assistance as the Mahama administration fights the illegal mining threat under the Operation Heal Ghana campaign code. According to Armah-Kofi Buah, the MP for the Ellembelle seat, the government must involve a leaders in its attempts to restart Ghana's mining industry because the Western Region is the center of the country's natural resource exploitation. "I'm here today to express my gratitude to you, our respected chiefs and queen mothers, and the good people of the Western Region for your tremendous support during the elections on December 7, 2024, and during my vetting after being nominated," he added.
"The claim that the best originates in the West is not unfounded. Rich vegetation, peace-loving people, and an abundance of valuable minerals are all gifts from God. In this regard, our esteemed chiefs and queen mothers are admired by the people of the Western Region for their outstanding leadership, especially in the battle against crimes that desecrate the priceless treasures we have been bestowed," he said. I thus implore our traditional leaders to lead us with unity in order to maintain our region as Ghana's bright spot. Not only is your togetherness a strength, but it is also essential to preserving our land's legacy for coming generations. Simply stated, the battle against Galamsey must
"Last week, the president swore me in as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and I was given the difficult task of spearheading the campaign to 'Heal Ghana' and halting the environmental damage brought on by illicit mining and other illicit activities that impact our lands, forests, and water bodies." As a native of this area, I ask for your blessings and unwavering support in order to help us rebuild this country for future generations. The destruction of our forest reserves, pollution of our waterways, and illicit mining are currently the main problems.
The minister went on to highlight the main components of the government's new anti-galamsey program, emphasizing the introduction of fresh projects as well as the evaluation and enhancement of current tactics. A number of policy initiatives have been proposed as part of President Mahama's Reset Agenda to clean up the mining industry, especially the small-scale mining subsector. We want to make sure concession holders restore affected areas and that mining operations don't take place in unapproved locations, such water bodies."
"The government thinks that by making the current licensing regime more inclusive, it can be improved," he said. "We will increase the ability of mining regulatory organizations to guarantee speedier reaction times and efficiently include important stakeholders. To keep them updated on developments in their territories, our chiefs, who are the guardians of the land where these valuable minerals are found, must actively participate in the pre- and post-licensing procedures. "The Community Mining Scheme is unsuccessful in fulfilling its original objective because it lacks transparency and inclusivity in its current form. It is ineffective and extremely partisan. For community members interested in artisanal small-scale mining, we are doing away with it and creating Artisanal Small-Scale Mining Cooperatives (ASMCs).
"In order to guarantee simple and reasonably priced access to necessary mining equipment, we will also assist in the creation of mining equipment pools in every small-scale mining district," he continued. In order to maintain harmony and stability in the area, the minister utilized his visit to the House of Chiefs to mediate a settlement between different groups inside the traditional area. He issued a warning about issues that could impede the region's prosperity, such as chieftaincy contests.
The Essikado (British Sekondi) Traditional Area's Paramount Chief (Omanhen), Nana Kobina Nketsia V, praised Armah-Kofi Buah for initiating the conversation with the chiefs on the government's intentions to stop illicit mining. Concerns over land issues, mining rules, and other difficulties impacting their individual regions were voiced by a few chiefs during an open forum.
Declaring that his accomplishment would be a major win for the Western Region, they urged the minister to make sure that the work of the Operation Recover All Loot committee encompasses land concerns in the area and stated their willingness to assist him in his endeavors. Assuring regular interaction on issues pertaining to his ministry and government programs, the minister thanked the chiefs and pledged to address their concerns.