The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has outlined the government’s renewed strategy to combat illegal mining, highlighting plans to track the importation of excavators into Ghana.
Speaking at the opening of the Global Mining Summit in Accra, the Minister stated that the initiative is aimed at ensuring all mining equipment entering the country is properly authorized. “We are working closely with licensing authorities to monitor and track every excavator that comes into Ghana,” he said.
He stressed the importance of responsible and sustainable mining, pointing to the severe environmental consequences of illegal mining activities. These include deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution — all of which pose serious threats to public health and complicate water treatment efforts by the Ghana Water Company Limited.
The Minister also reported progress in environmental restoration efforts, noting that eight out of nine degraded forest reserves have been reclaimed. However, he revealed that illegal mining has already affected 44 of the country’s 208 forest reserves. As part of the government’s enforcement actions, approximately 100 excavators, three bulldozers, and four vehicles have been seized, and 76 illegal miners arrested, with prosecution efforts underway.
President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at the Mining in Motion Conference, emphasized the sector’s critical role in Ghana’s economic development—particularly in contributing to GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and job creation. He posed a thought-provoking question:
“Why does the wealth beneath our feet not translate into prosperity above ground?”—underscoring the need for Ghana to derive greater benefits from its mineral resources.
Also addressing the conference, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, issued a strong warning about the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining. He called on industry stakeholders and policymakers to collaborate in finding sustainable, long-term solutions.
