- Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has criticised the NPP over its role in Ghana’s illegal mining crisis
- He accused the previous government of issuing over 20,000 mining licences and leaving a legacy of environmental destruction
- Buah said the NDC government is committed to fighting galamsey and restoring Ghana’s water bodies
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has called out the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for criticising the government over its handling of the illegal mining menace in the country.
Speaking in an interview on the GTV Breakfast Show on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Minister accused the NPP of being responsible for the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Photo credit: Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah/Fscebook.
Source: Facebook
He said before the NPP left office in 2024, they left behind a legacy of mismanagement and reckless mining licensing.
For this reason, Armah-Kofi Buah suggested that the NPP lacked the moral authority to hold the current government to its feet in the galamsey fight.
He said the ruling National Democratic Congress government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, welcomes criticism from Ghanaians who genuinely want an end to the illegal mining menace, but certainly not the NPP, considering their record in government.
“Let me say that those who are really calling on the government to do more, we understand, we are a listening government, and we are going to do more and we appreciate it (the criticisms). But let me tell you, those we don’t even want to be talking are the political apparatchiks who have caused the damage that we are trying to solve.
“They should give us some break, and give us room. These are the people who have given over 20,000 mining licences, unprecedented in the history of this country, to political operatives, and opened the floodgates of our forests to be destroyed. I told you 44 out of 280 reserves have been decimated,” he said.
Watch the video below:
Armah-Kofi reiterates government’s commitment to end galamsey
Armah-Kofi Buah further reiterated the government’s commitment to end the galamsey menace.
He expressed his personal determination to combat illegal mining and restore Ghana’s polluted water bodies. He stated that he is committed to “turning the waters blue” during his tenure as minister.
“I want to be remembered for adding value to the mineral resources of our country. I have just directed the mining companies to make sure they properly manage and protect our resources,” he added.
Lands Minister galamsey commentary sparks reactions
The Lands Minister’s commentary on government’s commitments to end the galamsey menace has sparked reactions on social media.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few them below:
@Ing Seyram said:
“Yes. They have to, yesterday is not the same as today.”
@Lawrence Kodwo Amartey also said:
“You keep asking that the Galamsey fight should not be politicized but you keep politicizing it. I don’t get it.”
@Michael Anarfi commented:
“After destroying it between 2012-2016, you had the temerity to call the npp out right? You guys must be on some substance really to even think this way. Wait for the real pressure.”
Photo credit: @The1957News |& John Dramani Mahama/Facebook.
Source: Facebook
Concerned Ghanaian urged Mahama to end galamsey
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that concerned Ghanaian at the Democracy Hub’s #StopGalamseyNow protest sent a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama.
He urged the government to declare a national war on galamsey, citing mercury contamination and birth defects in mining communities.
The #StopGalamseyNow protest was held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, and Monday, September 22.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
