Accra: Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Acting Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, has urged the newly inaugurated Governing Board of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to take a frontline role in combating illegal mining. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, Mr Buah highlighted the destructive impact of galamsey on water bodies, farmlands, and forests, emphasizing the need for urgent and decisive action.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Buah conveyed that the President has declared a commitment to end galamsey, and the Board is expected to play a vital role by ensuring strict enforcement of environmental laws, supporting community sensitization, and promoting alternative livelihoods for affected communities. The 14-member Board is chaired by Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, a former Minister of State. Other members include Professor Nana Ama Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of EPA, and representatives from various ministries and organizations.
Mr Buah reminded the Board that its mandate extends beyond policy oversight to the enforcement of environmental laws nationwide. He called for vigilance in protecting Ghana's natural resources and advancing the government's vision of a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous country. The Minister also urged the Board to strengthen environmental impact assessment processes, support climate change mitigation efforts, and ensure EPA's presence in every district.
Dr Amoako-Nuama pledged that the Board would provide leadership and strategic direction to achieve the EPA's objectives. She assured that under the Board's supervision, the Authority would deepen stakeholder collaboration and expand its reach across districts. The new EPA Board will oversee environmental governance and policy direction in line with the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).
