Minister for Lands and Natural Resources,Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged chiefs and traditional leaders to take the lead in the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey, which has caused significant environmental damage across the country.
Speaking at his first meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi, Armah-Kofi Buah clarified that his strategy is not about replacing small-scale miners linked to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with those from the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Instead, he stressed the government’s commitment to eradicating the galamsey menace.
The Minister outlined plans to involve traditional leaders in the mining licensing process, further integrating them into efforts to regulate the industry. “If we are to succeed in our fight against illegal mining and the degradation of our forests and water bodies, it must be supported and led by the chiefs and traditional authorities,” he stated.
Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembele, appealed for the chiefs’ support in this vital mission, emphasizing the importance of their leadership. “As a son of the soil, I have come here to seek your blessings in navigating the ministry and to ask for your utmost support to help us reset this nation for good and for generations yet unborn,” he said.
The chiefs, in turn, welcomed the Minister’s approach and called for a review of the Community Mines concept. They advocated for a shift towards a truly community-owned mining model, allowing local communities to play a more central role in preventing the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
