Ghana has taken its fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, to a new level as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has declared all forest reserves and river bodies as security zones.
As part of the new effort, the Minister warned that any intruder found in these new security zones will be treated as “an enemy of the state.”
The declaration, made in Sunyani at the closing of a week-long training for personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), signals the government’s renewed effort fight the illegal mining menace amid pressure from the public.
Environmentalists, CSOs and labours unions are demanding that the state declare a state of emergency in illegal mining areas to help fight the crisis. However, the government has indicated its unwillingness to take that path due to a number of concerns.
It appears the new approach of declaring the forest and river bodies as security zones is an attempt the meet the demands of the pressure groups halfway.
The Minister in announcing the new measures further indicated that since its creation in June this year, NAIMOS has already arrested over 1,000 illegal miners, reclaimed nine forest reserves once lost to galamsey, and seized more than 900 water pumps, which have been repurposed to support irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture.
“These are not mere statistics. They are victories; victories for our land, for our water, and for our people,” he remarked.
Emmanuel Armah Buah further outlined a five-pronged strategy to sustain the gains chalked so far. This include strict enforcement, education, alternative livelihoods, technological innovation, and institutional coordination.
The training modules, which covered weapons handling, fieldcraft, and intelligence coordination, were designed to forge a united force from the Army, Police, Immigration, NIB, and NACOC.
“You are the sharpened tip of the spear. Any recalcitrant entrant into these declared Security Zones is not merely a trespasser; they are an enemy of the state and are to be treated as such. You are to be firm, resolute, and ruthless against them,” he charged.
But beyond the environmental wins, there are economic dividends to this fight if successful. Restored rivers mean reliable water supply for households and industries. Reclaimed forests secure timber resources and boost climate resilience, helping Ghana meet its global carbon commitments.
Redirected irrigation equipment promises better harvests for farmers, increasing food security and creating jobs.
Moreover, the benefits will extend far beyond law enforcement. Cleaner water could reduce Ghana’s rising urban water treatment costs, healthier soils could raise crop yields, and a revitalized environment could even spur eco-tourism. This will all boost long-term economic growth.
