1 day Ago By Ghana News
Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has issued a stern warning that no politician involved in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, will be exempt from punishment. Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, monitored by GhanaWeb, he emphasised that President John Dramani Mahama has taken a firm stance on the issue and will not tolerate any form of illegal mining, regardless of the individuals involved. “Whether you are a minister or a Member of Parliament, if you engage in galamsey, you will not be spared.
President Mahama has made this very clear,” he declared. The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central further assured the public that his ministry, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, remains resolute in addressing the problem. “As the minister leading this fight, I will not relent in my efforts, nor will my colleagues.
We cannot afford to fail President Mahama. The people of Ghana gave him an overwhelming mandate, partly because of his promise to combat illegal mining. We must fulfil that promise,” he stated.
“This is a warning to anyone involved in illegal mining – you will face the consequences,” he further cautioned. It would be recalled that on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining on the nation’s forest reserves and water bodies. Delivering a statement in Parliament on the state of the country’s forest reserves and water resources, he stressed the severity of the situation.
“Ghana is currently facing an unprecedented threat to its forest resources and water bodies, largely due to illegal small-scale mining. This situation has reached crisis proportions. “More than nine of our 44 forest reserves have been completely taken over by these illegal mining syndicates, operating with impunity.
The Forestry Commission no longer has access to these reserves,” the minister noted. JKB/EB Meanwhile, watch as Joseph Yammin warns NDC MPs over apologizing for Ken Ofori-Atta’s house raid.
