Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Acting Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), has urged the newly inaugurated Governing Board of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to take a frontline role in combating illegal mining.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Buah said the destructive impact of galamsey on water bodies, farmlands and forests required urgent and decisive action.

“We cannot ignore the pressing challenge of illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, which continues to devastate our rivers, farmlands and forests.

“His Excellency, the President, has declared an unwavering commitment to end galamsey, and your Board will play a vital role by ensuring strict enforcement of environmental laws, supporting community sensitisation and promoting alternative livelihoods for affected communities,” he said.

The 14-member Board is chaired by Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, a former Minister of State.

Other members include Professor Nana Ama Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of EPA; Suweibatu Adam (MEST); Sampson Akwettey (Ministry of Local Government); Samuel Aggrey (Ministry of Finance); Dr Wisdom Atiwoto (Ministry of Health); and Mavis Asare Donkor (Ministry of Education).

The rest are Mr Chris Kwasi M. Anaglo (Ministry of Energy); Prof Mike Yaw Osei-Atweneboana (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research); Mr Clifford Edmund Frimpong (Ghana Standards Authority); Dr Sandra Kesse-Amankwa (National Development Planning Commission); Dr Eddie Akwetey (Association of Ghana Industries); and presidential nominees Mr Mumuni Abdulai Bol-Naaba and Prof Mrs Rosemary Boateng Coffie.

Mr Buah reminded the Board that its mandate extended beyond policy oversight to the enforcement of environmental laws nationwide.

He called for vigilance in protecting Ghana’s natural resources and advancing the government’s vision of a greener, cleaner and more prosperous country.

The Minister also urged the Board to strengthen environmental impact assessment processes, support climate change mitigation efforts, and ensure EPA’s presence in every district.

“The EPA must not remain a distant institution… Your presence must be felt in communities across the country. The public must see you as an ally in protecting their environment,” he said.

Mr Buah noted that government was pursuing climate financing and carbon credit opportunities, and the Board must ensure transparency and maximise national benefits.

Dr Amoako-Nuama pledged that the Board would provide leadership and strategic direction to achieve the EPA’s objectives.

She assured that under the Board’s supervision, the Authority would deepen stakeholder collaboration and expand its reach across districts.

The new EPA Board will oversee environmental governance and policy direction in line with the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).