The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that the government’s intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey, have resulted in the arrest of 1,400 individuals in just eight months.
Speaking on GTV on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, which was monitored by Ghanaian RADAR, Mr. Buah highlighted the effectiveness of the current strategy by comparing it to the previous administration’s record of 800 arrests over nearly three years.
“We have seized 440 excavators and more than 800 changfans. We have mobilised Blue Water Guards in key regions, and they are making a difference,” Mr. Buah stated.
The minister emphasised that enforcement is not enough, stressing that the government is also creating viable alternatives for miners who want to operate legally.
“We are also now providing critical alternatives, and we are saying that if you want to do mining, we are going to give you the training and build your capacity to work with large-scale mining companies,” he explained.
Mr. Buah reiterated the government’s commitment to a balanced approach that protects the environment while opening up regulated opportunities in the mining sector.
