The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that only 40 out of over 800 illegal miners have been prosecuted so far, describing the prosecution rate as inadequate.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, February 19, Mr. Kofi Buah admitted that the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey, faces significant challenges.
“In the last few years, the numbers for prosecution for illegal mining are not very encouraging. Out of over 800, the people who have been prosecuted are less than 40. So we need to look at that area as well,” he stated.
The Minister further disclosed that 44 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves are under severe threat due to illegal mining, with over 5,000 hectares of land destroyed.
Alarmingly, nine forest reserves have been completely taken over by armed illegal miners, making them inaccessible to Forestry Commission officials, who lack the necessary weapons to reclaim them.
Mr. Kofi Buah emphasized the need for stronger enforcement measures to tackle the growing menace of illegal mining.
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