The Minister nominee for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has argued that the fight against illegal mining widely known as galamsey should be led by the Ministry of Environment rather than the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Expressing his concerns during his vetting on Thursday, January 29, the Tamale Central MP questioned the current approach, suggesting that the Ministry of Lands has been accused—whether justifiably or not—of being involved in the galamsey problem and should not be at the forefront of efforts to combat it.
“If you ask me my personal view, I think the issue of fighting galamsey should be led by the Ministry of Environment, not the Ministry of Lands. The Ministry of Lands has been accused, rightly or wrongly, of being a participant in the galamsey menace. So it shouldn't be the Ministry of Lands taking the lead,” he stated.

His call for restructuring the fight against galamsey comes as Ghana continues to grapple with the environmental and economic impacts of illegal mining, particularly on water bodies, forests, and farmlands.
Mr Murtala Mohammed further criticised the previous inter-ministerial committee set up to tackle galamsey, highlighting the exclusion of the Ministry of Environment.

According to him, "The reason galamsey is a major issue is because of the destruction of the environment and its consequences on livelihoods. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment should play a lead role in addressing this.”
“It was mind-boggling that the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology was not even on that committee," he added.
Latest Stories
-
Bystander injured by stray bullet at Sogakope Customs checkpoint
15 minutes -
Our focus is on building for the future – Black Queens Coach
18 minutes -
GRA investigates shooting incident at Sogakope Customs checkpoint
18 minutes -
Gov’t treading old, dangerous path – MFWA on radio station shutdowns
32 minutes -
Tidal waves threaten to cut off coastal communities in Ketu South
33 minutes -
Sustain a Bean: Ghana’s sustainable movement aligned with global development goals
1 hour -
We’ll go to court if unsatisfied with NMC’s response – Gumah FM on shutdown
2 hours -
We’re not selling ECG; We are only seeking partnership in its revenue collection – Energy Minister insists
2 hours -
Three buses explode in Israel in ‘suspected terror attack’ – police say
2 hours -
Veteran actor Mawuli Semevo dies after fire accident
2 hours -
Mass dismissals: NDC is repeating what the NPP did while in power – Janet Nabla
2 hours -
Amin Adam questions Mahama’s claim of NPP “criminally mishandling” economy
2 hours -
Bear with us as we fix power challenges permanently – Energy Minister appeals to Ghanaians
2 hours -
Beyond the Illusion of Power: Unpacking the Ofori-Atta Narrative
2 hours -
We inherited a very weak energy sector – John Jinapor
2 hours