Akufo-Addo’s fight against galamsey was a failure – Armah-Kofi Buah

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has sharply criticized the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s handling of the fight against illegal mining, known as ‘galamsey.’

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had faced widespread criticism for failing to deliver on his 2017 promise to combat galamsey, despite vowing to put his presidency on the line to address the menace.

Speaking during his appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged the initial efforts by the NPP but ultimately described their fight as a “failure.”

He condemned illegal mining activities, particularly those affecting water bodies, calling them “unacceptable” and emphasizing the need for stringent measures to combat the issue.

“It’s true the NPP administration started very well, there was a ban on mining places, it was six months, and it extended to nine months,” he noted.

“But at the end of the 8 years, the outcome is what we all know—degraded lands, polluted water bodies, and wanton destruction of forest reserves. These are clearly facts that indicate that that fight against was a failure.”

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah pledged to address the menace with decisive action and to implement sustainable solutions aimed at protecting Ghana’s environment and water resources.

Source: citinewsroom