President Mahama, Lands Minister, and Civil Society Unite to Chart Bold Path Against Illegal Mining
President John Dramani Mahama has convened a high-level dialogue at the Jubilee House, bringing together key Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), faith-based leaders, professional bodies, and mining associations to develop practical, lasting solutions to Ghana’s persistent illegal mining menace.
The meeting underscored Government’s renewed resolve to combat galamsey, which has ravaged farmlands, polluted major rivers, and endangered livelihoods across the country.
Taking centre stage at the engagement, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), delivered an in-depth presentation on the current state of the illegal mining crisis and outlined Government’s comprehensive plan to tackle it.
He revealed that at the start of the year, Ghana faced a critical phase in the fight against illegal mining, a challenge that has not only tested environmental resilience but also the nation’s governance and law enforcement structures.
Hon. Buah detailed five key approaches forming the backbone of the government’s strategy which is, strengthening law enforcement through the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), reforming the licensing regime to promote accountability, restoring degraded lands through the Tree for Life initiative, rejuvenating polluted water bodies through Blue Water Guards Initiative, and implementing the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to formalize small-scale mining operations.
These reforms, he stated, reflect President Mahama’s clear direction and unwavering political will to “restore order, rebuild confidence, and renew Ghana’s natural heritage.”
“These reforms are beginning to make a real difference,” the Minister asserted, citing visible progress in forest reclamation and cleaner water systems in several regions. “But we know the road ahead is long. With President Mahama’s guidance, my team and I are determined to stay the course until our rivers run clear and our forests recover their strength.”
Civil society leaders at the meeting commended Government’s proactive measures while issuing a call for stronger enforcement and greater transparency in the fight against illegal mining.
Their contributions, drawn from years of advocacy and community engagement, enriched the dialogue and reinforced the need for continued partnership between state and non-state actors in addressing the crisis.
In closing, Hon. Buah reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working hand in hand with civil society and all stakeholders to deliver on government’s charge to protect Ghana’s environment for future generations. “Your vigilance keeps us sharp, and your partnership gives us strength,” he said, pledging unrelenting dedication to ending galamsey and securing a sustainable future for the nation.
