Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister-designate, has placed the blame for the destruction of Ghana’s forest reserves squarely on the shoulders of political operatives rather than reputable mining companies.
Speaking during his vetting on Monday, January 27, 2025, Mr. Buah highlighted how political patronage has emboldened illegal miners to invade forest reserves, causing widespread environmental degradation.
“Let me make it clear: the reputable mining companies operating within our forest reserves are not the ones responsible for the bleeding of our forests. The destruction we see today is due to political apparatchiks who have been granted undue leeway to plunder our natural resources,” he stated emphatically.
A Commitment to End Forest Destruction
Mr. Buah vowed to take decisive action against illegal mining activities within forest reserves. He stressed that under his administration, no new mining licenses would be issued for operations in protected forest areas. He also underscored the urgent need to halt the ongoing devastation of Ghana’s forests, which have been severely degraded over the years.
“It is unacceptable. The state of our forest reserves demands immediate action. We must put an end to this destruction, and I assure the people of Ghana that we will enforce strict measures to protect our natural heritage,” he added.
Comprehensive Measures to Combat Illegal Mining
The minister-designate unveiled three flagship initiatives under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) aimed at addressing illegal mining and restoring the country’s ecological balance:
1. The Blue Water Initiative: A program to protect water bodies from pollution caused by illegal mining activities.
2. The Tree for Life Initiative: A reforestation project aimed at reviving forest reserves and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
3. Restore Ghana Program: A comprehensive plan to restore biodiversity and ecological systems, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
“We are committed to halting all illegal mining activities within our forest reserves. These measures will ensure the restoration of our forests, the preservation of biodiversity, and the revival of the ecological life that sustains our environment,” he said.
No Room for Further Damage
Mr. Buah emphasized that his ministry would adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward further destruction of forest reserves. “We will not allow any more damage to our forests. This is why I am making it clear—there will be no further issuance of licenses for mining in forest reserves under my watch,” he declared.
The minister-designate’s strong stance against illegal mining has been widely welcomed by environmental advocates, who have long called for stricter enforcement of laws to protect Ghana’s forests. Many see his appointment as a critical step toward reversing the environmental damage caused by illegal mining and political interference.
As Ghana grapples with the effects of deforestation and biodiversity loss, Armah-Kofi Buah’s assurances signal a renewed commitment to safeguarding the nation’s natural resources for future generations.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
