We’ll stop further issuance of license for mining in forest reserves – Lands Minister-designate

Lands and Natural Resources Minister-designate, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah has assured that under his administration, no license will be issued for mining in forest reserves.

During his vetting by the Appointments Committee on Monday, Mr Kofi-Buah noted that the country’s forest reserves have been excessively damaged and it’s time such activities end.

He further outlined three key measures by the National Democratic Congress to deal with illegal mining in the country.

“What I am saying is that we are going to stop all these illegal mining in our forest reserves with these measures that I have described; the blue water initiative, tree for life initiative and restore Ghana to make sure that we harness our forest and bring back biodiversity and ecological life of our forest.

“We are not going to open ourselves for further damage and that is why we are going to stop further issuance of any license for mining in forest reserve,” he stated on January 27, 2025.

According to the nominee, political apparatchiks are to blame for the destruction of the forest reserves not reputable mining companies.

“Let me say that these very reputable companies who have been mining in our forest reserves are not the reason why our forest is bleeding today.

“The reason why our forest is being degraded and destroyed is because we have allowed political apparatchiks to take over our forest and destroy it,” he added.

Over the years, concerns have been raised about the ongoing illegal mining activities in the country’s forest reserves. Last year, several protests were held to drum home the adverse impacts of galamsey on water bodies and forest reserves in the country.

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