By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Jan. 27, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has stated that State and Public lands must not be sold to individuals and entities.
However, he said, if it became necessary to sell them, it must be based on value for money and current market value.
“I will jealously protect State and Public lands, and if we’ve to sell them, we must do so, so that the people are not short-changed,” the nominee made these remarks when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra on Monday.
Commenting on priority areas he would pay attention to upon his approval, he said government would work assiduously to restore the biodiversity and ensure sustainable mining practices.
“I will stop the bleeding by ensuring sanity in the mining industry, heal the polluted water bodies, plant trees and bring back biodiversity and ecology,” he emphasised.
Asked about how he would combat illegal small-scale mining, the nominee said illegal mining went to the root of the country’s survival and would work to “deal with the powerful and those in the dark behind it”.
The Minister-designate noted that illegal mining was a huge challenge and must be pursued in a bi-partisan approach and thus reiterated the NDC government’s commitment to undertake a holistic review of the mining licensing regime.
Responding to frequent clashes between large-scale mining firms and host mining communities, the nominee assured that he would build trust and understanding between these stakeholders to promote mutual respect and a win-win situation.
On measures to protect the water bodies, Mr Buah said the government would train water guards “for them to understand that fighting water pollution is protecting the soul of our country”.
“It is illegal to do mining in water bodies and we’re going to combat it with the people,” he emphasised.
GNA