The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has called for sweeping reforms in land administration and intensified action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as he addressed participants at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) retreat held in Ellembelle in the Western Region.
Delivering remarks at the retreat, Mr. Nelson commended agencies under the Ministry for their unwavering support, noting that their collective efforts had significantly contributed to the successes chalked by the sector Minister, his deputy, and the entire ministry.
He also expressed appreciation to the Minister for selecting the Western Region as host of the retreat, describing the region as the hub of Ghana’s natural resources and, therefore, a fitting venue for deliberations on the country’s resource management challenges.
“The Western Region is the home of Ghana’s natural resources, and we do not shy away from saying that any day, any time,” he stated, stressing the importance of sustained dialogue on improving resource governance.
Touching on land administration, the Minister raised concerns over the lack of transparency in land registration fees at the Lands Commission, describing the process as unpredictable for the average Ghanaian. He proposed that fees associated with land registration be publicly displayed to enhance transparency and help prospective landowners plan adequately before initiating registration processes.
Mr Nelson acknowledged ongoing reforms in land administration but emphasised that the publication of clearly defined fee structures would further strengthen public confidence in the system.
On the fight against illegal mining, the Regional Minister described galamsey as a persistent and complex challenge, reiterating his commitment to tackling the menace despite resource constraints.
He noted that although progress had been made through collaborative efforts with the sector Minister and other agencies, more focused interventions were needed to curb the practice.
He advocated for the establishment of Minerals Commission offices across all mining districts in the Western Region, arguing that the Commission’s current role, which largely centres on reporting illegal mining activities, must be expanded to include direct enforcement support.
According to him, strengthening collaboration between the Minerals Commission, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Blue Water Guards, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) would significantly improve enforcement outcomes.
Mr. Nelson further highlighted the urgent need to adequately resource Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) to respond swiftly to illegal mining incidents, including the destruction of farmlands and water bodies.
He lamented that inadequate logistics and funding often hamper prompt responses to reported cases, leaving local authorities exposed to public criticism despite limited operational capacity.
“Once we have all accepted that galamsey is a menace, we must equally commit the resources required to empower local authorities to respond effectively,” he stressed.
The Regional Minister also underscored the importance of land reclamation in areas devastated by illegal mining, particularly in communities such as Mpohor and surrounding districts.
He proposed strict policies to prevent reclaimed lands from being reallocated by traditional authorities or individuals who previously facilitated illegal mining activities, noting that such measures would deter further environmental destruction.
Mr. Nelson concluded by welcoming participants to the Western Region and expressing optimism that the retreat would yield practical strategies to address challenges confronting Ghana’s natural resource sector.
The MLNR retreat brought together key stakeholders to assess progress, address policy gaps, and strengthen collaboration in the sustainable management of Ghana’s land and mineral resources.
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