The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has led to 1,400 arrests in just eight months.
Speaking on GTV on Wednesday, September 24, Mr. Buah contrasted the figure with the 800 arrests recorded over nearly three years under the previous administration, arguing that the current strategy is delivering measurable results.
“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 noted that enforcement alone is not enough, stressing that the government is also creating sustainable options for miners who wish 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 government’s commitment to pursuing a balanced approach that protects the environment while opening up regulated opportunities in the mining sector.
