Lands minister donates vehicles to boost fight against galamsey in Ellembelle
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has provided a pick-up vehicle and two motorbikes to support efforts aimed at curbing illegal mining activities in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
The newly acquired pick-up was presented to the Ellembelle District office of the Minerals Commission at Azulenloanu, while the motorbikes were handed over to the Blue Water Guards to boost their operational effectiveness in tackling illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the AYA Community Centre on Sunday, December 28, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah—who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology—announced a major overhaul of the reporting structure within the Minerals Commission to strengthen oversight of small-scale mining activities.
As part of the new directive, officers of the Minerals Commission are required to provide detailed accounts of all small-scale mining companies operating within their respective areas.
“As a regulator, you must have at your fingertips basic information about small-scale mining companies such as their location, status, lease and expiry dates, EPA permits, community permits and water resources permits,” the Minister stated.
He urged officers to make full use of their regulatory authority to sanitise operations in the mining sector and close gaps that enable illegal mining to persist.
The Minister further called on the Blue Water Guards to collaborate closely with the Minerals Commission and the Ghana Police Service in their crackdown on illegal mining. He assured personnel in Ellembelle, Jomoro and Nzema East of government backing and enhanced security support to enable them effectively discharge their duties in the coming year.
Receiving the pick-up on behalf of the Minerals Commission, the Ellembelle District Director, Anita Ama Atiasah, reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to align its operations with the Minister’s vision of safeguarding water bodies and forest reserves.
“We are aware of your will and vision to fight galamsey to protect our water bodies and preserve forest reserves to protect lives,” she said, adding that the Commission would step up efforts to curb illegal mining in the district.
Meanwhile, the Ellembelle District Coordinator of the Blue Water Guards, Stephen Afena, expressed appreciation to the Minister for addressing the persistent challenge of inadequate transportation, which he said had limited effective surveillance of illegal mining activities.
Mr. Afena disclosed that although the guards had previously succeeded in restoring some polluted rivers within a three-month period, illegal mining later resurfaced. He added that despite threats encountered in the course of their work, the guards remain committed and will intensify their operations in 2026.
Source: GNA
