Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has been named Best Performing Minister at the 6th Ghana Ministers of State Awards, adding another accolade to his growing profile within the John Mahama administration.
The recognition comes amid increased public attention on the government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining, strengthen natural resource governance and improve environmental protection across the country. Organisers of the annual awards say the platform is designed to promote accountability in public service by rewarding ministers whose work demonstrates measurable impact on national development.
The awards ceremony, held at the La Palm Beach Convention Centre in Accra, brought together government officials, diplomats, private sector leaders and civil society representatives to celebrate outstanding performance within Ghana’s ministerial ranks. The event has become one of the country’s most prominent governance recognition platforms, focusing on performance rather than political affiliation.
Buah, who serves as Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, was among six ministers shortlisted following public nominations and performance assessments. The shortlist included ministers responsible for agriculture, finance, education, foreign affairs and trade. Organisers cited his work in natural resource governance and the fight against illegal mining as key factors behind his nomination.
Since assuming office in early 2025, Buah has been at the centre of government efforts to reform Ghana’s mining sector and promote sustainable management of the country’s natural resources. His ministry has pursued initiatives aimed at strengthening regulation, improving environmental protection and enhancing the contribution of the extractive sector to national development.
The minister has repeatedly stressed the importance of responsible resource management as Ghana seeks to maximise benefits from its gold, lithium and other mineral resources while addressing environmental concerns associated with illegal mining activities. His tenure has coincided with heightened government action against environmentally destructive mining practices and efforts to attract responsible investment into the sector.
Buah is a seasoned politician who has represented the Ellembelle Constituency since 2009 and previously served as Deputy Minister of Energy before becoming Minister for Energy and Petroleum. During his earlier ministerial tenure, he played a key role in major oil and gas developments, including the Sankofa and TEN projects, which significantly expanded Ghana’s energy production capacity.
His recent stewardship of the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has also seen him advocate for major industrial and resource development projects. Earlier this year, he publicly endorsed the Petroleum Hub project in the Western Region, describing it as a transformative initiative capable of generating significant employment opportunities and positioning Ghana as a major energy and industrial hub in Africa.
Beyond his ministerial responsibilities, Buah has continued to build his academic credentials. In 2026, he completed additional legal studies in the United Kingdom, a development that attracted praise from governance experts and political observers who viewed the achievement as evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning and public service excellence.
The latest award is expected to further strengthen his standing within government and among supporters in the Western Region. It also reflects growing public scrutiny of ministerial performance, with citizens increasingly demanding measurable outcomes and accountability from public officials.
As Ghana continues to pursue economic transformation through responsible management of its natural resources, Buah’s recognition highlights the central role his ministry plays in balancing environmental sustainability, resource development and investment attraction. The award organisers say such recognition is intended to encourage higher standards of performance across government and reinforce a culture of results-oriented leadership.
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