Similarly, he vowed to implement strin­gent measures to address illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forest reserves when given the nod.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources

Appearing before Parliament’s Appoint­ments Committee yesterday, he announced that a ban on new mining activities in forest reserves will be put in place.

“I will jealously guard these lands. It does not matter your political affiliation or societal status. There will be no further mining in Ghana’s forest reserves,” he stated.

Mr Buah explained that illegal mining had caused severe degradation to forests and water bodies, requiring urgent inter­vention.

To restore these ecosystems, he prom­ised to ensure the recruitment and training of forest and water guards who will be permanently stationed at reserves and water bodies to prevent encroachment.

He criticised the current reliance on temporary military deployments, noting that illegal miners often return once the soldiers left.

“We will deploy permanent guards who are well-trained to protect these critical ar­eas. This will ensure no one gets into these locations for illegal activities,” he added.

The nominee also announced plans for a holistic review of the mining licensing process to ensure “transparency and com­pliance” with regulations.

He stressed that combating illegal min­ing would require a multifaceted approach, including community engagement, educa­tion on the destructive impacts of illegal mining, and empowering local residents to engage in responsible mining practices.

Mr Buah outlined initiatives such as the “Blue Water Initiative” to rehabilitate areas destroyed by mining and restore them to their natural state.

Additionally, he pledged to intensify reforestation efforts through a “Tree for Life” initiative to replenish degraded forests.

On the issue of mining company-com­munity relations, Mr Buah promised to address tensions and foster cooperation.

“I want to be remembered as the Min­ister who bridged the gap between mining companies and the communities where they operate. Mining companies must work closely with communities and build their capacities to create trust and reduce clashes,” he stressed.

Regarding the protection of state lands, the Minister-designate revealed plans to review all state lands sold and ensure fair valuations for future allocations.

He said the Lands Commission had been directed to compile a comprehensive report on the status of state lands to guide decision-making.

“I will protect the interest of the people of Ghana by ensuring state lands are not sold below their current market values. If lands must be allocated, it will be done transparently and in the public interest,” he said.

Mr Buah also touched on the enforce­ment of the Land Act to address issues such as land guards and the double sale of lands.

He assured the committee of his com­mitment to implementing strict provisions under the law to safeguard public lands.

The nominee emphasised that the fight against illegal mining and the protection of state resources required collective action.

He therefore pledged to work with tra­ditional leaders, the Minerals Commission, and other stakeholders to create sustain­able solutions.

“This is a national crisis, and we must stand together as Ghanaians to fight it. The destiny of our lands and forests is in our hands, and I will ensure we take the right steps to secure them for future generations,” he stressed.

He emphasised his commitment to simplifying the land registration processes to encourage more people to acquire their land titles legally and efficiently.

Additionally, he promised to improve land demarcation in the Keta area to pre­vent disagreements when oil exploration activities commence.

He assured that the interest of the people of Ghana will always guide the government’s decisions.