The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating illegal mining during a high-level meeting with the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey on Friday, June 27, 2025.
The meeting, convened at the directive of President John Dramani Mahama, followed a petition submitted by the Coalition urging more decisive action against the illegal mining menace.
“We are deeply committed to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and ensuring sustainable mining practices,” Armah-Kofi Buah stated.
He cited notable achievements, including the recovery of eight out of nine forest reserves that were previously under threat from illegal mining.
The Minister also highlighted new government initiatives, such as:
• The Blue Water Guards, a specialized task force protecting water bodies.
• The Tree for Life Restoration Initiative, aimed at land reclamation and reforestation.
• The decentralisation of the license regime, among others
The Coalition commended the Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah for his efforts and dedication to the cause of sustainable mining in Ghana and pledged their unwavering support to help eradicate the menace of illegal mining.
A key focus of the discussion was the newly established National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)—a centralized body designed to coordinate and streamline enforcement among various national security agencies. The Minister emphasized that NAIMOS would enhance intelligence-sharing and operational efficiency on the ground.
Dr Ken Ashigbey, Convener of the Coalition, applauded the initiative and pledged the Coalition’s readiness to collaborate and support NAIMOS in the fight against illegal mining.
During the engagement, the Coalition submitted several demands, including:
• Revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2162), deemed counterproductive to anti-galamsey efforts.
• Publication of the names of owners of seized excavators to promote transparency.
• Declaration of a state of emergency in select critical illegal mining areas.
• Prosecution of foreign nationals involved in illegal mining.
In response, Armah-Kofi Buah commended the Coalition’s advocacy and assured them that their concerns would be presented to President Mahama for further action.
