Lands and Natural Resources Minister-designate, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has vowed to ensure no new mining activities will be allowed in forest reserves if his appointment is confirmed.
During his vetting before the Parliamentary Vetting Committee on January 27, 2025, he emphasized that his top priority would be to amend Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, effectively banning mining in forest reserves.
Armah-Kofi Buah’s commitment is a significant step towards addressing the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
The practice has ravaged Ghana’s forest reserves, water bodies, and agricultural lands, prompting widespread concerns about the country’s ecological future.
The proposed amendment to L.I. 2462 is part of a broader government effort to combat galamsey and promote sustainable development.
Armah-Kofi Buah said, “We have said that there will be no new mining activities in forest reserves, and the intention is to make sure that L.I. 2462 is amended to ensure that the provision allowing for mining in reserves is not in place.”
He reinforced his pledge, saying, “If you give me the chance, my first activity will be to ensure that there will be no new mining activities in forest reserves.”
