The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has paid tribute to the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, describing his leadership in the repeal of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462 as one of the defining achievements of his time in office.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony held at the Ministry to mark one year since the former Environment Minister passed in a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash, Mr Armah Buah said Dr Muhammed's commitment to protecting Ghana's natural resources continues to shape government policy.

He said the repeal of LI 2462, which had allowed mining in forest reserves under certain conditions, was a landmark decision that has strengthened efforts to protect the country's forests.

Reflecting on the late minister's contribution, Mr Armah Buah said that the impact of the decision is already being felt.

"He is the one that spearheaded the repeal of LI 2462. And today, our forests are breathing again because of Honourable Murtala. We can clap for him."

The ceremony brought together family members, friends, colleagues and government officials to honour Dr Muhammed and the seven others who died in the helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025.

Mr Armah Buah said Dr Muhammed's vision for environmental protection extended far beyond the repeal of LI 2462.

He recalled that the late minister hosted the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) High-Level Meeting in 2025, which resulted in the Accra Declaration, and also introduced the Biannual Environment, Science and Technology Forum to strengthen collaboration between researchers, innovators and industry.

According to him, the initiative was designed to ensure research produced practical solutions that would improve the lives of Ghanaians.

"He wanted to make sure that research work was not an isolated issue, that it was practical, that the things people were researching into were really connected with the people of Ghana and that we could use them to transform our lives."

The Minister said the forum has now become a permanent feature of the ministry's calendar because of its importance.

He also credited Dr Muhammed with laying the foundation for Ghana's Blue Economy Strategy, which has since been advanced by the Ministry of Fisheries, and for launching the One Child, One Tree campaign to encourage environmental responsibility among young people.

"He also launched what we call the One Child, One Tree campaign to make sure that we instil environmental responsibility in our children right from an early age and make sure that every child knew the importance of planting trees."

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, also paid tribute to the late minister, saying the pain of losing him and the seven others remains deeply felt one year after the tragedy.

He said the most meaningful way to honour their memory is to continue the fight to protect Ghana's environment and natural resources.

"Mohammed Murtala Mohammed. A year on, our heart is still in ruins. Our heart is still in ruins."

Mr Iddrisu said Dr Muhammed viewed environmental protection not simply as a government responsibility but as a moral duty.

"For Murtala Mohammed, the protection of the environment, ensuring that our water quality, air quality was good enough, was moral."

He urged Ghanaians to remain committed to tackling illegal mining and protecting the country's natural resources.

"The best we can do to his memory and the memory of Dr Omane Boamah and all the eight is to preserve and protect the environment, to endeavour to succeed in fighting galamsey in order that we don't compromise our water bodies, our farmlands and our air quality."

Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was among eight people who lost their lives when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed while travelling to the launch of the government's Cooperative Mining Initiative in the Ashanti Region.