Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has intensified calls for a unified fight against illegal mining, describing perpetrators as dangerous terrorists threatening the lives of Ghanaians.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Minister condemned the devastating environmental and social impact of illegal mining, stressing that it endangers millions of citizens while benefiting only a select few.
The Minister highlighted alarming pollution levels in Ghana’s water bodies, revealing that turbidity levels have skyrocketed between 5,000 and 12,000, far exceeding the acceptable threshold of 500.
“You cannot have a country where your water systems are so polluted that the turbidity levels are 5,000 to 12,000 when it should be 500. It means we are drinking poison”.
He further reiterated the government’s commitment to using all available resources to combat illegal mining, which continues to ravage forests, water bodies, and farmlands across the nation.
While cracking down on illegal mining, lands minister assured that the government is willing to support genuine small-scale miners who follow due legal processes.
“If anybody wants to do genuine small-scale mining, this government is committed to guiding them, giving them licenses, and setting them on the path of responsible and sustainable operations”.
Emphasizing the need for collaboration, he urged citizens, security forces, and environmental activists to join forces to combat illegal mining.
“This must be a collective fight, and we can no longer allow a few individuals to destroy our resources and risk our lives”.
