Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has stated that the new government will collaborate with communities and other stakeholders to deal with illegal mining.
The nominee says illegal miners must be dealt with ruthlessly because illegal mining, especially on our water bodies and forest reserves, is a threat to our human life.
Appearing before the Vetting Committee on January 27, 2024, he posited that illegal mining is something that the President John Dramani Mahama administration will deal with as part of its promises to Ghanaians during the campaign period.
The new government will deal ruthlessly with Galamsey without any fear or favour,” the nominee said in response to a specific question about whether the government would declare a state of emergency against Galamsey.
He said the previous administration began well, but by the end of eight years, we had degraded lands, destroyed forest reserves, and polluted water bodies.
He stated that mining water bodies is illegal, and that it must be stopped immediately.
The degradation of our forest reserves has never been seen in Ghana’s history, and it is a critical issue that he will address if approved and sworn in.
As minister, we will stand with Ghana’s people in the fight against illegal mining. It makes no difference what your social status or political affiliation is. If you want to mine, there is a legal process for obtaining licenses and conducting mining operations.To him, we are where we are because the measures used to address illegal mining activities failed, and the new government will take a different approach in which the community where illegal mining is taking place will be involved in the fight against the illegal activity.
He stated that the new government will decentralise the granting of mining licenses, and that they will collaborate with the Minerals Commission and the Geological Survey Department to conduct geological investigations to identify mineralised areas where mining groups can focus their efforts.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
