By Ghana News

Copyright ghanamma

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has identified a range of factors driving illegal mining in Ghana, stressing that addressing them is key to resolving the crisis.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on Friday, October 3, the minister said limited awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with galamsey continues to fuel its prevalence in many communities.

He added that weak enforcement of mining regulations has allowed illegal operators to thrive, while high levels of unemployment, poverty, and limited access to opportunities push many Ghanaians into illegal mining as a source of livelihood.

Mr. Buah also highlighted corruption among political actors and law enforcement agencies, noting that it undermines efforts to combat the menace.

“Law enforcement agencies and politicians who were supposed to lead the effort were all complicit,” he asserted.

Beyond Ghana’s borders, he pointed to the strong global demand for gold, driven by high international prices, as a factor incentivising illegal mining.

The minister stressed that tackling galamsey requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses both domestic shortcomings and external market forces.