Minister of Lands Expresses Concern Over Low Prosecution Rate for Illegal Miners

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has expressed dissatisfaction with the prosecution rate of illegal miners in Ghana. According to him, out of more than 800 individuals involved in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, only 40 have faced prosecution so far.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, February 19, Mr. Kofi Buah acknowledged the difficulties in combating illegal mining, stating that enforcement efforts have not been effective enough.

"In recent years, the number of prosecutions for illegal mining has been disappointing. Out of over 800 cases, fewer than 40 have been successfully prosecuted. We need to address this issue more seriously," he remarked.

He further revealed that illegal mining has placed 44 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves in grave danger, with more than 5,000 hectares of land already devastated.

Disturbingly, nine forest reserves have been completely taken over by heavily armed illegal miners, rendering them inaccessible to Forestry Commission officials who lack the necessary weapons to reclaim the land.

Mr. Kofi Buah stressed the urgency of implementing stronger enforcement strategies to curb the escalating threat posed by illegal mining.