Armah-Kofi Buah challenges KNUST engineering students to lead the fight against galamsey
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has challenged geological engineering students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to use their professional expertise to develop practical solutions to illegal mining and environmental destruction. He said the country's future depended largely on the decisions and actions of the current…
Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has called on Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) geological engineering students to utilize their technical expertise to combat illegal mining and environmental degradation in Ghana. Speaking at a seminar, he emphasized that the nation's future hinges on the decisions and actions of the current generation, urging students to take an active role in safeguarding the country's natural resources.
He highlighted the urgent need for engineers to join the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey, emphasizing that it is now time for them to move beyond discussions and contribute their technical knowledge to address the environmental damage caused by irresponsible mining operations. The Minister stressed that the generation currently in power bears a responsibility to combat illegal mining and called on the students to apply their training to solve the challenges facing the mining sector.
He also discussed the challenges faced during the establishment of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, recalling the difficulties encountered with land allocation and litigation despite power outages. Buah encouraged the students to confront problems and find solutions rather than allowing difficulties to hinder important projects.
He provided the example of a sliding-scale royalty regime in the mining sector, which he said was a difficult policy decision aimed at increasing government revenue from mineral resources. Additionally, he revealed that securing a US$7 million investment for KNUST's Petroleum Engineering Department required extensive negotiation and persistence.
The Minister expressed concern over the destruction of forest reserves, air pollution, and contamination of water bodies due to illegal mining, emphasizing the necessity of sustained national attention, effective enforcement, and the involvement of professionals with technical knowledge to devise lasting solutions. He urged the students to apply their expertise to the challenges confronting the mining sector and reiterated the importance of remaining focused on their goals, developing the courage to make difficult decisions, and avoiding distractions that could lead them astray.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
