Accra: Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has firmly asserted that State and Public lands should not be sold to individuals or entities. However, he mentioned that if it becomes necessary to sell them, it must be done based on value for money and current market value. "I will jealously protect State and Public lands, and if we've to sell them, we must do so, so that the people are not short-changed," he declared during his appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra on Monday.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Buah outlined his priority areas, stating that the government would work diligently to restore biodiversity and ensure sustainable mining practices. He vowed to "stop the bleeding by ensuring sanity in the mining industry, heal the polluted water bodies, plant trees, and bring back biodiversity and ecology."
Addressing the issue of illegal small-scale mining, the nominee highlighted that it is a critical challenge affecting the country's survival. He pledged to "deal with the powerful and those in the dark behind it," emphasizing the need for a bi-partisan approach to tackle illegal mining. Mr. Buah reiterated the NDC government's commitment to conduct a comprehensive review of the mining licensing regime.
In response to the frequent conflicts between large-scale mining firms and host communities, Mr. Buah assured that he would foster trust and understanding among stakeholders to promote mutual respect and a win-win situation. On the protection of water bodies, he stated that the government would train water guards to underscore the importance of fighting water pollution, which he described as "protecting the soul of our country."
"It is illegal to do mining in water bodies, and we're going to combat it with the people," he stressed, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing these pressing environmental issues.
