The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that over 1,300 individuals have been arrested and 425 excavators and other machinery seized in the government’s ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister stated that the intensified enforcement efforts were producing tangible results.
He indicated that a total of 1,345 arrests had been made so far, and that prosecutions were progressing steadily. He added that the Attorney General would, in due course, provide further details on the status of these prosecutions.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah also underscored the critical role of the Forestry Commission in the enforcement campaign. He said the Commission was responsible for a substantial share of the equipment seizures and arrests.
According to him, the Commission’s enforcement team had confiscated 177 excavators, four bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorbikes, 155 pumping machines, 185 chamfan machines, 15 gold detectors, and 10 heavy-duty generators.
He noted that the Forestry Commission had arrested 286 individuals as part of its operations.
The Minister emphasized that the efforts form part of the government’s renewed commitment to safeguarding forest reserves and protecting water bodies from the destructive impact of illegal mining activities.
