Armah-Kofi Buah challenges KNUST geological engineering students to lead fight against galamsey

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has urged geological engineering students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to take an active role in combating illegal mining and environmental degradation through professional expertise and innovative solutions.

He said the responsibility of safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources rested with the current generation, particularly professionals whose training and knowledge placed them in a position to influence the country's mining and environmental future.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Geological Engineering Students Society (GESS) on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Minister said engineers could no longer remain on the sidelines in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Drawing on his experience in public service, he highlighted some of the difficult decisions he had taken while overseeing key sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, energy and natural resources.

He said implementing far-reaching policies and programmes required courage, determination and the willingness to confront obstacles, adding that the students had an important role to play in Ghana’s development.

Reflecting on his time managing the country's oil and gas industry, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah recounted the challenges associated with establishing Ghana's gas infrastructure during a period of persistent power outages and the need to secure reliable and affordable electricity.

He said the development of the country's gas facilities encountered several difficulties, including land acquisition disputes and litigation, but these did not deter the government from pursuing the project.

According to him, the establishment of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant marked a significant intervention that helped reduce the cost of electricity generation.

Using the experience to illustrate the demands of leadership, he advised the students to confront challenges by identifying their causes and finding practical solutions.

"When you face challenges, look for where the challenges are coming from and solve them," he advised.

The Minister also pointed to the introduction of the sliding-scale royalty regime in the mining sector as an example of difficult policy decisions aimed at ensuring that Ghana secured greater revenue from its mineral resources.

He acknowledged that implementing such reforms was not always easy but insisted that leaders must be prepared to make difficult choices in the national interest.

"That is not a decision that is easy," he remarked, stressing that sound decision-making and a willingness to accept responsibility were essential qualities for anyone aspiring to leadership.

He further disclosed that securing a US$7 million investment for KNUST's Petroleum Engineering Department had required considerable persistence, negotiations and commitment.

The investment, he said, demonstrated the importance of strengthening education, technical expertise and institutional capacity to support national development.

Turning to the threat posed by illegal mining, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah expressed concern about the destruction of forest reserves, air pollution and contamination of water bodies, warning that the environmental damage required urgent and sustained action.

He challenged the students to move beyond academic discussions and use their professional knowledge to develop solutions and contribute directly to efforts to protect the country's natural resources.

"We in this generation have a responsibility," he said, insisting that students pursuing programmes related to geology and mineral resources should be at the forefront of the campaign against illegal mining.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah also highlighted government's plans to reform the mining sector through new legislation, explaining that the changes were intended to improve the regulation and management of mineral resources.

He said the reforms would also address concerns about mining communities being neglected and seek to ensure that host communities benefited more substantially from the exploitation of resources in their areas.

In his concluding remarks, the Minister urged the students to remain focused on their ambitions, develop the confidence to make difficult decisions and avoid being distracted by the need to gain public approval.

"Focus on decisions and never look back," he advised, adding that "the last thing you want to do is to want to impress anyone, or by trying to look around."

He said Ghana's sustainable development would depend on the combination of technical expertise, professional competence and responsible leadership.