Vice President Reaffirms Government’s Support for Lands Ministry, Urges Stronger Environmental Stewardship
The vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has reiterated the government’s firm commitment to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, emphasizing that the sustainable management of Ghana’s lands and natural resources is vital to the country’s development and long-term survival.
She gave the assurance during a working visit to the Ministry on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, where she was received by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, together with heads of agencies, directors and senior management staff.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the visit was intended to go beyond formality and allow her to engage directly with those implementing government policies in the environment and natural resources sector. She stressed the importance of recognising the people behind policy execution and understanding the realities they face on the ground.
Commending the Ministry for its efforts to address land degradation and environmental destruction, the Vice President expressed concern about the extensive damage caused by illegal mining, noting reports that vast areas equivalent to thousands of football fields had been degraded. She, however, praised ongoing land reclamation initiatives and urged staff to remain resolute in protecting the environment, describing it as critical to the nation’s survival.
She also highlighted the role of digitisation in improving land administration, saying modern records and systems would enhance access, ownership clarity and transparency.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang further pointed to land banks as a strategic opportunity, particularly for women who are eager to engage in agriculture but lack access to land, and called for deliberate policy measures to ensure their inclusion.
On decentralisation, the Vice President said effective service delivery must reach communities across the country, adding that solving land and environmental challenges requires strong grassroots engagement beyond Accra.
She assured the Ministry of continuous support from the highest levels of government and encouraged staff to intensify their efforts, reaffirming confidence in their work.
Earlier, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, presented an overview of developments in the lands, mining and forestry sub-sectors, outlining achievements, ongoing reforms and priorities for the year ahead. He said the government places high value on the sustainable management of natural resources, describing the Ministry as a key pillar of national development.
He noted that as custodians of the country’s lands, forests, minerals and wildlife, the Ministry plays a critical role in economic growth, environmental sustainability and food security. While acknowledging progress made in collaboration with allied agencies, he also pointed to persistent challenges requiring sustained and strategic intervention.
The Deputy Minister, Hon. Sulemana Yusif, on behalf of the Minister, Chief Director, heads of departments and staff, thanked the Vice President for the visit, describing it as a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to coordination, accountability and inclusive development in the natural resources sector.
