Lands Ministry Needs Financial Support and Logistics to Sustain Anti-Galamsey Fight – Mahmud Kabore

The Spokesperson for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mahmud Kabore, has revealed that the Ministry requires stronger financial and logistical support to effectively implement the government’s commitment to ending illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

Speaking on Kessben Maakye with Kojo Preko Dankwah, Mr. Kabore explained that the Ministry’s strategic plan involves setting up 21 permanent patrol stations across the country to monitor and protect 44 reserve water bodies that are under threat from illegal mining activities.

“Before we can fully implement the promise of combating illegal mining, we need financial muscle and logistics,” he said.
“We need at least 21 station points to patrol the 44 reserve water bodies permanently. For every station, we require not less than three vehicles, and each operation should have between 15 to 25 men on active duty with operational vehicles.”

Mr. Kabore emphasized that the Ministry cannot rely on limited manpower or inadequate equipment to sustain the anti-galamsey campaign. He said the current financial challenges are a major hurdle but expressed optimism that the situation will improve with the President’s ongoing support.

“We have financial constraints, but with the President’s firm commitment to combating illegal mining, we are confident that by next year, most of our plans will be fully implemented with positive results,” he added.

Mr. Kabore also appealed to the public and private sectors to support the Ministry’s efforts, stressing that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility.

“We should not see this as the government’s fight alone. Every Ghanaian has a role to play in keeping our environment clean and sustainable,” he said.

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry continues to call on corporate Ghana, civil society groups, and local communities to partner in the fight against illegal mining, as the government intensifies efforts to restore degraded lands and protect natural water bodies across the country.