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On Friday, February 14, 2025, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, had a courtesy call from Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the leaders of the agencies under his Ministry, revealed the reason for his visit and said that he and the government place a high value on Asantehene Otumfuo II’s blessings.
According to Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Otumfuo’s backing and direction would be crucial as the administration sets out to overhaul the nation’s mining and forest subsector’s.
The purpose of the courtesy call was also to get Otumfuo’s support for the ministry’s programs and initiatives.
As he works to change the lands sector by implementing creative and revolutionary projects, he humbly asked the Asantehene to share his leadership and wisdom.
He praised the Asantehene for his exceptional and exemplary leadership, which is demonstrated by the absence of land-related disputes in the Ashanti Region.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah praised Otumfuo for his significant earlier interventions on the issue of illegal mining and urged support for him and the government as they forge a new course that he believes will result in a total change in the situation.
He lamented the catastrophic effects of galamsey on the nation, pointing out that the turbidity level of the nation’s main water bodies has increased from 5,000 NTU to 12,000, and that forty-four (44) of the 288 forest reserves have been destroyed by galamsey operations. Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah underlined the gravity of the situation and listed some drastic and quick steps the administration has taking to solve it.
Among the initiatives are the creation of an 18-member expert committee to evaluate the licensing system, reclassify the mining categories, and revamp the Community Mining Scheme. “Otumfuo’s counsel and assistance for the reset plan that we have started are very appreciated.
The 18-member working committee was established as the first step in the plan we have outlined to address important initiatives.
He said, “We are also introducing medium-scale mining and reclassifying the mining categories.”
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II praised the Lands Minister for his visit, conveyed his unwavering faith in his ability to fulfil his duties as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and asked the Heads of Agencies and other ministry officials to provide him with the necessary backing.
However, Otumfuo cautioned Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah to deal with youth unemployment, which is the main cause of the illicit mining canker.
He claimed that young people in mining areas would be less likely to succumb to the lure of mining in forest reserves and water bodies if they were exposed to worthwhile and sustainable sources of income.
Adding that, the ministry should create a livelihood program to support you and urged the government to target the “big fishes” in the galamsey industry, catching and prosecuting them rather than concentrating just on the young people who go out to get their daily bread.
Regarding public lands, Otumfuo also advised the minister of lands to make sure that during his term, the practice of selling public properties to public officials without planning is stopped.Citing the Tree for Life effort as commendable, he commended the Lands Minister for the vigorous afforestation initiative and promised his support for the project.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the regional minister for Ashanti, thanked Otumfuo for his counsel and assistance and promised to collaborate with his fellow ministers to address the galamsey threat.
The Afari Military Hospital was started by the Mahama-led government in 2014 but stalled under the President Akufo-Addo administration.
Earlier, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah accompanied the Interior Minister, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Defence Minister, Hon. Dr. Edward Omane-Boamah, and the Ashanti Regional Minister on the tour.
