Kumasi:The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on the Geological Engineering Students Society (GESS) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to spearhead efforts against illegal mining and environmental degradation. He emphasized the importance of professional solutions in preserving Ghana's natural resources for future generations.
According to Ghana Web, during a seminar organized by the society on November 3, 2026, the Minister stressed the urgent need for engineers to join the campaign against illegal mining. He highlighted the role of leadership and responsibility in national development, drawing from his experiences in managing Ghana's oil and gas industry and addressing power outages.
Armah-Kofi Buah shared insights into the challenges faced in establishing Ghana's gas infrastructure, such as land allocation issues and litigation. Despite these obstacles, the government successfully established the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, reducing power generation costs. He urged students to confront challenges head-on in their leadership roles.
The Minister also discussed reforms in the mining sector, like the sliding-scale royalty regime, aimed at increasing government revenue from mineral resources. He highlighted the need for decisive action against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, to tackle environmental crises affecting forest reserves and water bodies.
Concluding his address, Armah-Kofi Buah encouraged students to focus on making difficult decisions and resist distractions, emphasizing the importance of engineering knowledge and responsible leadership in ensuring Ghana's sustainable development.