Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed his commitment to ending illegal mining, revealing that he has already started receiving calls from powerful individuals attempting to interfere in the fight against this national threat.
Speaking to the media on Monday (24 February) when he stormed the Offin-Shelterbelt Forest Reserve within the Nkawie Forest District in the Ashanti Region, the minister issued a stern warning that no illegal miner—regardless of political affiliation—will be spared if found mining in restricted zones, including water bodies and forest reserves.
“We are coming after you. You have a choice—leave now or be arrested along with your co-conspirators. Investigations are already underway, tracking those involved, from miners to their financiers and those who rent out excavators. They will all face the full rigors of the law,” Kofi Buah declared.
“Let me warn those trying to intervene on behalf of Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining. Yesterday, I received one of those calls, and I made it clear—the only person who can instruct me to release them is the President of the Republic… And let me assure you, the President will not call anybody,” he emphasized.
As part of the government’s intensified efforts, a joint military-police task force has successfully expelled all illegal miners from the Offin-Shelterbelt Forest Reserve within the Nkawie Forest District in the Ashanti Region.
Some arrests have been made, and at least 15 excavators have been seized.
The Minister commended the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies for their dedication to enforcing the law, stating that the government fully supports their efforts to restore Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Joining the tour were members of the Ashanti Regional Security Council, officials from the Forestry Commission, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
VOICE OF Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah
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