Mining Conference: Local Government Minister puts Regional Ministers, MMDCEs on notice over illegal mining
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has warned that Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives will be held accountable for any destructive activities caused by illegal miners in their respective jurisdictions.
According to him, these individuals who have been put in strategic positions have no choice than to be part of the solution to the problem of illegal mining in the country.
He said this at the National Conference for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives on illegal small-scale mining in Kumasi.
Held on Monday, November 2, 2026, the event aimed at discussing ways to fight illegal mining in Ghana.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to take active part in the fight against illegal mining.
“You all can be part of the solution by taking pragmatic steps to stop illegal miners from mining,” he stated.
He emphasized that the fight against illegal mining requires collective responsibility and decisive action at the local level.
“I have decided that I will not sit idle and let people castigate the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and pretend he is the problem,” he added.
Hon. Ayariga stressed that protecting the country’s water bodies, forests and farmlands from destruction must be a shared duty for all local government leaders.
He warned that any Regional Minister or MMDCE who fails to act against illegal miners in their area will be held responsible for the consequences.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/ Jacob Agyenim Boateng, Kumasi.
