Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a stern warning to operatives of illegal mining in the country, stating the war being waged by the government against this menace will be relentless, retributive, fair, and firm.

According to him, the government has set out to achieve the multiple goals of reclaiming lost forest reserves, restoring the color and quality of water bodies damaged by galamsey activities, and protecting biodiversity.

He emphasised until these goals were achieved and an effective, sustainable plan was implemented for the long term, the government would not take its foot off the pedal.

Speaking after a fact-finding mission to the press after a successful operation in collaboration with the Ministries of Defence and Interior to rescue the Shelter Belt Forest Reserve on Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Lands Minister admonished illegal miners across the country to put down their tools and vacate the forest and river areas before they were apprehended.

Revealing further details on Monday’s operation, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah announced 30 hectares of land had been consumed by illegal mining activities in this area alone.

In total, the country had lost about 5000 hectares (7,500 football fields worth of land) to illegal mining operations in forest reserves.

While bemoaning the situation, he declared the situation could not be allowed to continue as it posed an existential threat to Ghanaians. He noted he had received the all-clear from  President John Dramani Mahama to chase out illegal miners from all sites.

“With the unwavering support of my colleagues, the Defence Minister, Dr Omane Boamah, Interior Minister, Mutaka, and Dr Frank Amoakohene, we deployed the military to the forests to clamp down on these illegal operations,” the minister stated.

During the operation, 15 excavators were seized.

He noted President Mahama’s government would not decommission or burn excavators seized at galamsey sites but instead use them for road construction across the country, which he believed was more purposeful and innovative approach.

“This, however, is not the end. Investigations are ongoing, and we are working closely with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. This is not an exercise in futility. We are resolute in our mission. We will not rest until those responsible for this environmental carnage are held accountable, including their accomplices,” he said.

He underlined the government’s drive to eradicate illegal mining had just kicked off and despite being in its early stages, successes were being chalked with the operation in the Offin Shelter Belt forest, in addition to the operation on Ankobra River, where seven Chinese nationals and eight Ghanaians were apprehended.

He also restated the need for Ghanaians to collaborate with the government in the fight, stressing the importance of a holistic force in confronting and eradicating the menace.

“As I have stated before, and I reiterate today, we will not relent in this fight. This is a battle for all of us – every Ghanaian who values our environment, our health, and our future. I urge all well-meaning Ghanaians to join us in this critical fight. Together, we can win this war,” he said.

Furthermore, the minister condemned the recent attack on Citi FM journalists, stressing such actions should not be condoned.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, in his interaction with the press, commended the Lands Minister for not being an armchair minister and for deciding to storm the field and having firsthand information and experience on the issue.

He insisted the government was bent on winning the Galamsey War and that no stone would be left unturned in the bid to protect the country’s rivers and forest reserves.