The Minister -designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has vowed to prohibit any new mining activities in forest reserves if confirmed in his role. Speaking during his vetting by the Parliamentary Vetting Committee on Monday, January 27, 2025, he emphasized his unwavering commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural environment and preserving its forest ecosystems.
The minister- designate assured the Committee that his administration would take decisive steps to safeguard forest reserves, stating, “There will be no new mining activities in forest reserves. One of my first tasks will be to push for an amendment to L.I. 2462 to remove provisions that allow mining in these protected areas.” This, he explained, reflects the government’s prioritization of environmental conservation as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
If appointed, he intends to make amending Legislative Instrument 2462 a primary focus. He argued that this legal reform is crucial to closing loopholes that permit mining in forest reserves and to ensuring that Ghana’s forest lands remain intact for future generations.
He underscored the urgency of this policy shift, saying, “Protecting our forest reserves is not negotiable. My goal is to prevent any future encroachments and to uphold the integrity of our natural resources.”
This pledge comes at a time when public concern over the environmental degradation caused by mining activities is at an all-time high. By halting new mining projects in forest reserves, Mr. Buah aims to foster a balance between natural resource exploitation and environmental sustainability.
