Armah Buah Asks: GH¢6.2bn Worth Of Excavators Imported To Ghana For What?

Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah is the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. He recently revealed that Ghana imported excavators worth GH¢6.2 billion last year.

During a press conference in Accra, he questioned why so many excavators were imported. He suggested they might be intended for illegal mining activities.

Buah called on the media to help combat illegal mining. This practice is harming the country’s vegetation cover. The meeting aimed to address the complex issue of illegal mining.

It also sought media participation in protecting waterbodies and forest reserves. The timing of the meeting coincided with reports of an attack on Forestry Commission officers.

Buah highlighted this incident as an example of the problem's complexity. He stressed the need for decisive measures to tackle these challenges.

On March 24, 2025, he discussed the galamsey situation inherited from the Mahama government. At that time, nine forest reserves were under control of illegal miners.

He shared alarming statistics about water quality from Ghana Water Company Limited. Turbidity levels ranged from 5,000 to 12,000 NTU due to illegal mining activities.

Buah outlined his government's policy measures to combat this issue. Their anti-galamsey strategy focuses on five key principles: enforcing laws, overhauling structures, engaging stakeholders, using technology, and public awareness.

He noted that licensing issues in small-scale mining contribute significantly to galamsey problems. The centralization of licensing excluded traditional rulers and local executives from oversight roles.

To address this, the NDC government plans to decentralize licensing processes. Traditional rulers and District Security Councils will now approve mining licenses first.

Buah explained their approach includes strengthening enforcement with law enforcement agencies. They are also making structural changes at mining sites for better management.

He mentioned that military involvement had been lacking since 2022 but is now being intensified. Engaging chiefs is part of their stakeholder outreach efforts as well.

The Ministry has established a technology sector for monitoring illegal activities. This technology helps track excavators and ensure compliance with regulations.

Buah urged media professionals to remain objective in reporting on illegal mining issues. He emphasized avoiding politicization and encouraged support for government efforts against galamsey.

Media practitioners praised Buah for his engagement and commitment so far. They promised to use their platforms to amplify efforts against illegal mining.