In a move to save the forests and water bodies, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has led a successful operation to reclaim the Shelter Belt Forest Reserve.
The operation, carried out in collaboration with the Ministries of Defence and Interior, resulted in the seizure of 15 excavators and the reclamation of 30 hectares of land consumed by illegal mining activities.
The Minister’s actions come as part of the government’s efforts to eradicate galamsey and protect the country’s natural resources.
According to Armah-Kofi Buah, the government has set out to achieve multiple goals, including reclaiming lost forest reserves, restoring the colour and quality of water bodies damaged by galamsey activities, and protecting biodiversity.
The situation in Ghana’s forest reserves is dire, with an estimated 5,000 hectares (7,500 football fields worth of land) lost to illegal mining operations.
The Minister emphasized that this situation cannot be allowed to continue, as it poses an existential threat to Ghanaians.
The government’s approach to tackling galamsey is multifaceted.
Rather than decommissioning or burning excavators seized at galamsey sites, the government plans to channel them into road construction.
This approach is seen as more purposeful and innovative, and is expected to support the country’s infrastructure development.
The Minister’s efforts have been commended by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who praised Emmanuel Buah for his hands-on approach to addressing the issue.
The fight against galamsey is not just a government effort, but a collective responsibility. Kofi-Armah Buah emphasized the need for Ghanaians to collaborate with the government in the fight, stressing the importance of a holistic force in confronting and eradicating the menace.
