The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, could not hold back his tears as he recounted the extent of damage caused to the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve by illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—in the Western North Region.
At a press conference on Monday, the Ellembelle MP described the scene as both heartbreaking and a national tragedy.
According to him, the situation amounts to “devastation of biblical proportions.”
Mr. Buah’s voice wavered as he painted a bleak picture: vibrant greenery reduced to desolate wastelands, streams choked with mud, and once-thriving ecosystems silenced by destruction.
Overwhelmed by the devastation, the Minister paused his speech, pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped away tears that had filled his eyes.