Armah-Kofi Buah named Overall Best Minister at 6th Ghana Ministers of State Awards

Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, has been adjudged the Overall Best Male Performing Minister of the Year at the 6th Ghana Ministers of State Awards.

The awards were held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, on June 6, 2026. They recognise outstanding ministers whose work has delivered measurable impact in governance, service delivery, and national development over the past year.

Armah-Kofi Buah was honoured for his leadership in driving reforms in the mining sector, strengthening natural resource management, and championing environmental protection initiatives.

Key policies and initiatives at the Lands and Natural Resources and Environment Ministries:

1. Blue Water Initiative – Deployment of gunboats and river guards to protect Ghana’s water bodies from illegal mining pollution

2. Cooperative Mining Scheme – Formalisation of small-scale miners into registered cooperatives to ensure safe, legal, and environmentally sound operations

3. Mineral Value Addition Drive – Push for local processing of gold and lithium to retain more value in Ghana before export

4. Forest Reserve Protection and Reclamation – Aggressive clampdown on mining in forest reserves and mandatory reclamation bonds for companies

5. Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Reforms – Strengthening transparency in gold trading and increasing state revenue from minerals

6. Ban on Mining in Forests Law – Initiated legislation to ban all forms of mining in Ghana’s forest reserves to protect biodiversity and water sources

7. Tree for Life Programme – Launched a large-scale afforestation/reforestation programme to restore degraded lands and protect the environment

8. NAIMOS Operations – Initiated the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat to coordinate intelligence and go after galamsey operators nationwide

9. Agency Performance Drive – Instituted performance accountability measures to ensure all agencies under Lands, Natural Resources, Environment, Science and Technology are delivering results

The award citation noted his efforts in combating illegal mining, promoting responsible mining practices, and ensuring local communities benefit from Ghana’s mineral resources.

As Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, he has also been credited with advancing climate action and pushing for science-driven policy solutions to Ghana’s environmental challenges.

“This recognition belongs to the people of Ghana and the hardworking team at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology,” the Ellembelle MP said after receiving the award at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. “We remain committed to protecting our environment and managing our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.”

The 6th Ghana Ministers of State Awards brings together members of government, industry players, civil society, and development partners to celebrate excellence in public service.

Colleagues described Armah-Kofi Buah’s win as a reflection of his “hands-on leadership style and commitment to results across both portfolios.”

The Ellembelle MP has previously served as Deputy Minister of Energy and as Minister for Petroleum and is a notable figure from the Western Region.