Agricultural lands must receive the same level of protection as Ghana’s mineral resources if the country is to safeguard its food security, Chief Executive Officer of The Ghanaian Farmer, Enyonam Manye, has said.

She warned that the continued destruction of fertile farmlands through illegal mining could undermine Ghana’s ability to feed its growing population and weaken the livelihoods of farming communities.

Speaking during the ninth edition of the Loud and Green X Space, Ms Manye called for a shift in how authorities respond to the impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

“First and foremost, we must protect our agricultural land with the same sense of urgency we protect our mineral resources,” she said.

According to her, while significant attention is often given to protecting the country’s mineral wealth, the destruction of farmlands that support millions of Ghanaians receives comparatively less urgency.

She argued that agriculture and mining cannot be viewed as separate policy areas because the degradation of farmland affects food production, household incomes and the broader economy.

Ms Manye called for stronger enforcement of existing laws against illegal mining, insisting that accountability must apply to everyone involved.

“Laws against illegal mining must be enforced consistently, regardless of who is involved,” she stressed.

She criticised what she described as a situation where only low-level miners are arrested while individuals who finance and organise illegal mining activities escape scrutiny.

“What we are saying is that, no matter who is involved, the person must be made to face the full rigours of the law. Let’s stop using just the boys that we catch at these mining sites as scapegoats because we’ve heard that there are big boys who are involved,” she said.

Beyond enforcement, Ms Manye said government and development partners must create sustainable economic alternatives for young people in mining communities.

She explained that efforts to discourage illegal mining must be matched with practical support that enables affected individuals to pursue alternative livelihoods.

“It’s not just about telling them that galamsey is no good. We have to make an effort that when we are teaching them how to make money from different sources, we also add some startup capital so that it would help them to start off from scratch,” she said.

She also called for increased investment in irrigation, land restoration and support systems for farmers whose livelihoods have been affected by mining activities.

Ms Manye stressed that protecting agricultural land is a national responsibility involving government, citizens and stakeholders.

“When we destroy the land that feeds us, we are directly attacking our economy, public health and national security,” she warned.

She urged citizens to demand accountability from authorities and support efforts aimed at preserving Ghana’s agricultural resources for future generations.