Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has challenged geological engineering students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to take charge of Ghana's fight against illegal mining, declaring on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 that the country's environmental future depends on their generation.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Geological Engineering Students Society (GESS) at KNUST, the Minister said the moment for engineers to join the campaign against galamsey had arrived, and that it was, in his words, now or never, according to GhanaWeb.
A Minister's masterclass in bold decision-making
Buah did not come to lecture. He came to share scars earned in public service, and the students got a front-row seat to some of the toughest calls in Ghana's recent economic history.
Drawing on his time managing Ghana's oil and gas industry, the power sector and now natural resources, he recounted the difficult years of persistent power outages, when the country struggled to secure reliable and affordable electricity for a growing economy. He walked the students through the obstacles that stood in the way of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, including land allocation battles and litigation.
Neither the challenges nor the complications discouraged the government of the day. The result was Ghana's first gas processing plant, a project that cut the cost of power generation across the country.
His advice to the future engineers was direct.
When you face challenges, look for where the challenges are coming from and solve them.
Reforms that put Ghana first
The Minister cited the sliding-scale royalty regime in the mining sector as proof that difficult policy choices pay off. The reform was designed to lift government revenue from the country's mineral wealth, and Buah was candid about the resistance such decisions attract.
That is not a decision that is easy, he remarked, before reminding the students that decision-making and responsibility are non-negotiable qualities for anyone who wants to lead. National transformation, he argued, often requires bold choices that will not always be popular.
He also disclosed that securing a US$7 million investment for KNUST's Petroleum Engineering Department took persistence, hard negotiation and real commitment. For a government that talks about education and technical capacity as the foundations of national progress, that investment is concrete evidence of where the priorities lie.
Why the galamsey fight belongs to this generation
Buah did not mince words on illegal mining. He pointed to destroyed forest reserves, worsening air pollution and contaminated water bodies, and warned that the crisis demands urgent and sustained national attention, as reported by MyJoyOnline.
We in this generation have a responsibility, he declared, adding that the fight must be led by students, especially those studying courses directly connected to Ghana's geological and mineral resources. He called for responsibility, decisive action and effective enforcement as the essential measures to end the environmental destruction, 3News also reported.
He pushed the students to move beyond talk and become active participants in protecting Ghana's environment and natural resources.
New mining legislation and communities left behind
The Minister also laid out the government's plan to change the story of Ghana's mining sector through reforms under the new mining legislation. The reforms are intended to strengthen the governance and regulation of mineral resources.
Just as important, Buah said, the new law will address the longstanding neglect of mining communities, ensuring that host communities benefit more meaningfully from the exploitation of the resources beneath their feet. For a sector that has too often enriched outsiders while leaving local populations poor, this is a shift whose time has come.
A closing charge to young leaders
Buah ended his engagement with advice that went beyond engineering. He urged the students to develop the courage to make difficult decisions, stay focused on their objectives and resist the temptation to perform for an audience.
Focus on decisions and never look back. The last thing you want to do is to want to impress anyone, or by trying to look around.
His message was clear: engineering knowledge, professional competence and responsible leadership must combine to secure Ghana's sustainable development. For the young men and women of GESS, and for the Ghanaian diaspora watching where the country's next generation of problem-solvers will come from, that is a challenge worth taking up.
Frequently asked questions
What did Kofi Buah ask KNUST students to do?
He asked geological engineering students to lead the fight against illegal mining and develop professional, far-reaching solutions to environmental destruction.
Where and when did the seminar take place?
The seminar was organized by the Geological Engineering Students Society at KNUST on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
What investment did Buah secure for KNUST?
The Minister disclosed he helped secure a US$7 million investment for KNUST's Petroleum Engineering Department.
What reforms did the Minister highlight?
He cited the sliding-scale royalty regime in mining and the new mining legislation aimed at better governance and greater benefits for mining communities.