Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Ellembele, has assured the Ghana Police of the government’s support in its fight against illegal small-scale mining.
Over the period, there have been reports suggesting that the police service has seemingly been rendered powerless, making them unable to arrest galamsey operators due to the influential nature of the people involved.
During a tour of the Offin Shelter Belt at Anwiafutu in the Ashanti Region to witness the havoc caused to the forest on Monday, February 24, the Minister said the current government will give the police the freedom to act.
“This goes to the police officers: this government is strongly behind you to do your job and make sure that you bring perpetrators who are killing us to book without fear or favour,” he urged the police.
Speaking to the media during the tour, the Minister revealed that the extent of devastation to forest reserves by illegal miners is comparable to 7,500 football pitches.
He further noted that over 44 forest reserves, covering about thirty hectares, have been destroyed by the long-standing menace, which has also led to the pollution of water bodies.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the team fighting galamsey to seize excavators instead of destroying them.
The President emphasized the need for a methodical strategy that balances sustainable mining practices with strict enforcement.
