The National Youth Organiser for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has stated that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has failed in the fight against galamsey, which he claims is the reason the minister broke down in tears on national television.
According to Salam Mustapha, the task assigned to the minister is overwhelming, and his inability to tackle the issue has led to emotional despair rather than actionable solutions.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the youth wing of the party on April 22, 2025, Salam Mustapha remarked, “As if this is not enough, we have seen more deterioration in statehood under this new government than any other government in our history.
“For the first time in our history, a minister of state has sat on national TV and cried in despair because he cannot handle the job assigned to him.
“The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources weeps like a baby on TV because he cannot flush out illegal miners operating in areas designated as non-mining zones.”
Salam Mustapha further criticized the current government’s handling of the galamsey issue, contrasting it with the efforts of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He noted, “Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo put his presidency on the line, and it came at a huge cost to the New Patriotic Party, as we lost in mining areas due to the dedicated fight against illegal mining.
“Today, the very people who were shouting from rooftops and claimed to have all the solutions are now found wanting.”
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, was captured in a viral video shedding tears over the aftermath of mining activities by Akonta Mining Limited.
The caption that accompanied the video shared by GHOne’s X account on April 21, 2025, sought to suggest that he broke down in tears after watching a documentary showing the destruction of lands and water bodies in the Western Region by Akonta Mining Company Limited.
In a rather emotional scene, a man is seen approaching him to briefly console him with a gentle pat on the shoulder.
The minister, per a speech presented on April 21, 2025, has since revoked the license of Akonta Mining Limited.
“Some interviews conducted with a few residents indicate that the modus operandi of Akonta Mining is to use force to enter and destroy even the farmlands and produce of poor farmers in the area.
“Armed with this intel, on the eve of Good Friday (17th April 2025) an intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission led to the raid of six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mining. In light of the overwhelming evidence, I have authorized the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect,” a part of the speech said.
It would be recalled that on April 16, 2025, a joint military operation in Subri in the Western Region dismantled a massive illegal mining settlement which accommodated miscreants numbering over 2,000.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah weeps after watching a documentary showing the destruction of lands and water bodies in the Western Region by Akonta Mining Company Limited…#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/Q3j3uJoMcr
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) April 21, 2025
