Ghana's Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on students and young professionals to take a leading role in the fight against illegal mining. He warned that the destruction of Ghana's forests and pollution of its rivers have reached alarming levels, with nearly 9,000 hectares of forest cover destroyed, equivalent to about 12,500 football fields. This has devastating consequences for the country's water resources and environmental security.
Speaking at a seminar organised by students of the Geological Engineering Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Minister emphasized that the fight against illegal mining could no longer be left to government and law enforcement agencies alone. He stressed that the younger generation must take ownership of efforts to protect the environment, as the issue of illegal mining must be a collective responsibility.
The Minister highlighted that out of Ghana's 288 forest reserves, about 50 have been severely impacted by illegal mining activities. He warned that the destruction threatens critical ecological systems, particularly water sources, with nearly 60 per cent of the country's water supply linked to forest reserves. The Minister also raised concerns about the extent of pollution in major rivers, including the Pra, Offin, Birim and Ankobra.
Turbidity levels in some affected water bodies range between 5,000 and 12,000, compared with the acceptable range of zero to 500, making the treatment of water for safe consumption increasingly difficult. The Minister described this as a serious crisis, emphasizing the need for collective action to address the issue. He also outlined proposed reforms to Ghana's mining regulatory framework to promote responsible extraction and strengthen local participation.
The proposed legislation includes the abolition of reconnaissance licences, while exploration licences will be subject to stricter timelines and conditions. Companies will be given an initial two-year period to undertake exploration, with the possibility of an extension to five years if they meet the required conditions. This measure aims to prevent individuals and companies from holding large tracts of land for years without undertaking meaningful exploration.
The proposed law will also introduce mandatory Community Development Agreements as part of mining leases. These agreements will require mining companies to work with host communities from the beginning of their operations to develop local skills, create employment opportunities and address community development priorities. This will prevent situations where mining communities endure years of mineral extraction without tangible benefits or opportunities for their people.
The Minister urged the geological engineering students to use their training and professional expertise to promote sustainable mining practices and help build a mining industry that creates opportunities for Ghanaians while protecting the environment. He emphasized that mineral extraction must not destroy the country's environmental resources and that government is prioritizing local content and capacity development to ensure Ghanaian graduates have meaningful employment opportunities in the mining sector.
Key points
- Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah calls on KNUST students to lead the fight against galamsey
- Nearly 9,000 hectares of forest cover have been destroyed due to illegal mining
- Proposed reforms to Ghana's mining regulatory framework aim to promote responsible extraction and strengthen local participation
