Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah
Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that government spent nearly five months investigating allegations involving Akonta Mining before making any determinations, emphasizing that due process and evidence-based action now guide the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
Speaking on TV3’s “Hot Issues” with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Minister said that the era of rushing to act on unverified claims is over.
According to him, the government’s new approach prioritizes thorough investigations to ensure fairness, transparency, and lasting accountability in the mining sector.
“When allegations are made, you investigate them properly,” Mr. Buah stressed. “It took us almost five months to investigate the findings with Akonta Mining.”
The Minister said the investigation process forms part of a broader reform agenda under President Mahama’s administration to restore public confidence in Ghana’s natural resource governance.
He revealed that the government is 90% complete with overhauling mining laws, including a new Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2501) that will repeal L.I. 2462, which previously allowed the President to authorize mining in forest reserves.
“We are getting rid of that law entirely,” he said. “We must protect our forests and water bodies. The Attorney-General is working with us closely to ensure this is done.”
As part of enforcement efforts, Mr. Buah announced that 400 specially trained troops will soon be permanently deployed to illegal mining hotspots to prevent miners from returning after security operations.
“This old system of sending soldiers in and pulling them out is over. The troops will now stay on site permanently,” he said, noting that logistics such as vehicles, motorbikes, and tents have been secured for their operations.
The Minister further revealed that over 300 mining licenses with irregularities have been revoked, while new regulations will require both small- and large-scale miners to pay reclamation costs when they fail to restore mined lands.
He added that license applications will now start from district and regional mining offices to enhance transparency, and that MMDCEs will be evaluated using new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to mining oversight.
Mr. Buah also confirmed that the Attorney-General is reviewing the Frimpong-Boateng and ORAL reports, which contain allegations of political involvement in illegal mining.
“If you’re a chief or politician and you help break the law, you can’t be celebrated. We must arrest and shame anyone involved in illegal mining,” he declared.
The Minister concluded that Ghana’s anti-galamsey efforts, though costly—estimated at nearly $10 billion—are vital to protecting the nation’s environment and future.
“We’ve spent too much money fighting galamsey. I’d rather we invest that in the development of our youth,” he said.
Source:Lovinghananews.com
