Galamsey War: “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” - Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Vows to Prevail
Accra, Ghana – 23 July, 2025 – The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed government's unwavering commitment to combating illegal mining, known as galamsey, in Ghana.
Addressing the nation at the Government Accountability Series in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the battle against galamsey is far from easy but assured Ghanaians that "we will definitely prevail" with the political will and support of President John Dramani Mahama.
Key Initiatives:
- Legislative Overhaul: An aggressive legislative review of Ghana's mining framework is underway to correct historical imbalances and secure equitable benefits for all Ghanaians. The Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the Minerals and Mining Policy (2014) are being overhauled, with reforms already 85% complete.
- Galamsey Clampdown: The government has revoked 55 small-scale mining licenses issued during the previous administration's transitional period, with over 907 licenses currently under review for potential revocation due to irregularities. Security-led operations have resulted in the seizure of 425 excavators, 1,345 arrests, and hundreds of other equipment.
- Tracking Every Excavator: A bold new move to digitize and track heavy mining equipment is being piloted, with over 191 excavators already under surveillance in real-time via control rooms at the Minerals Commission.
- Blue Water Initiative: 980 Blue Water Guards have been trained to protect water bodies from pollution caused by galamsey, with a target of 2,000 by year-end. These guards operate as intelligence officers, raising awareness and working within communities to safeguard water bodies.
- Reforestation and Eco-Tourism: The government has planted 7.6 million trees out of a target of 30 million under the Tree for Life initiative. Proposals have been received from private partners to develop key reserves like Digya National Park and Shai Hills into tourist attractions.
Armah-Kofi Buah made a passionate appeal to all well-meaning Ghanaians, traditional authorities, and civil society actors to join hands with the government in safeguarding Ghana's natural resources. "We have drawn a line in the sand," he said. "We will fight against irresponsible and reckless mining in any form. This is a fight for the soul of our country"
