Armah-Kofi Buah Blames Political Interference for Destruction of Ghana’s Forest Reserves

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has criticized the role of political figures in exacerbating the destruction of the country’s forest reserves, stating that political interference in mining activities has significantly contributed to the environmental degradation.

Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah expressed his concerns about the widespread damage to forest reserves, asserting that local political figures have played a crucial role in facilitating illegal mining operations, leading to the depletion of forest resources.

He dismissed claims that international organizations involved in mining in Ghana’s forest reserves were the primary contributors to the destruction, instead focusing on the impact of local political actors.

The minister-designate assured the public that his ministry, under President Mahama’s administration, would introduce three key initiatives aimed at reversing the damage caused by illegal mining activities.

These initiatives— the Blue Water Initiative, the Tree for Life Initiative, and the Restore Ghana Initiative—are designed to safeguard the country’s forests and restore its natural resources.

“These international mining organizations are not the cause of the devastation we see in our forests today,” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah stated. “The real issue lies in the unchecked influence of political operatives, who have taken control of our forests and allowed them to be ravaged.”

He emphasized that the government would implement strict measures to halt illegal mining in forest reserves through these initiatives, pledging to restore the country’s valuable forest resources.