By Felix Cofie
Accra, Ghana – July 13, 2025 –
Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has sounded the alarm over the nation’s deteriorating mining sector, warning of an impending environmental and economic catastrophe if bold reforms are not immediately pursued.
Speaking at a high-level seminar with key mining stakeholders in Accra, the Minister painted a grim picture of the sector’s current state — from vast forest destruction to polluted water bodies — and outlined sweeping changes aimed at resetting the country’s mining governance.
“We May Not Have a Country Left”
“Our water bodies are reaching dangerous levels of pollution. Ghana Water Company is already shutting down treatment plants because the water can no longer be purified. If we don’t act now, we may not have a country left,” Hon. Buah declared, drawing attention to the loss of 44 forest reserves and more than 5,500 hectares of forest cover due to unregulated mining.
Key Reforms on the Horizon
The Minister revealed that his ministry is undertaking a comprehensive review of both the Minerals and Mining Act (2006) and the Mining Policy (2014). The goal, he said, is to create a more inclusive and sustainable mining environment. Key proposals include:
• Decentralizing the licensing process to involve traditional leaders and local communities.
• Introducing a new medium-scale mining category to bridge the gap between small-scale and large-scale mining.
• Prioritizing Ghanaian ownership of mining concessions under a new investment framework.
• Making community engagement and benefit-sharing agreements mandatory before licenses are issued.
• Reclaiming abandoned or underutilized concessions for responsible, community-led mining initiatives.
Exposing Deep-Rooted Issues
Hon. Buah also drew attention to longstanding problems in the sector, such as concession hoarding by large companies and the marginalization of local communities. He criticized companies that have held vast lands for decades without any meaningful development, while nearby towns remain impoverished.
He further emphasized the urgent need to boost the capacity of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority to generate data that can guide responsible mining and deter illegal operations.
Crackdown on Excavator Abuse
The Minister expressed concern over the unchecked importation and misuse of excavators, revealing that over 1,200 excavators were discovered operating without proper oversight in just three weeks. In response, the ministry is working with the DVLA to launch a tracking system that will monitor all excavators from the ports to their final destinations.
“This system will ensure we know exactly where every excavator is — no more blind spots,” he said.
Calling for Accountability at All Levels
In a strongly worded message, Hon. Buah condemned the involvement of influential individuals in illegal mining, stressing that the fight must transcend partisanship.
“This fight is not political. It is about survival. It is a national crisis, and we must act with courage and unity for the sake of future generations.”He urged judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies to step up enforcement and ensure that illegal miners, no matter how well connected, are brought to book.
Looking Ahead
The Lands Minister’s speech marks a significant turning point in Ghana’s approach to mining governance, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent, and sustainable future for the sector.
As the government prepares to table new legislation and policy amendments, stakeholders across the mining value chain are being called upon to support a national reset — one that places people, environment, and future prosperity above profit and politics.
