The government is set to declare all rivers and forests in Ghana as security zones in a renewed push against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed the plan during an interview on the GTV Breakfast Show. He cautioned that individuals who continue to engage in illegal mining activities within these designated areas will do so at their own risk.
“We are moving another step further, and that step says we are going to declare all the water bodies and our forests security zones. And you stay there and engage in illegal mining activity at your own risk. That is the step,” the Minister stated.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah explained that the decision aligns with President Akufo-Addo’s pledge to exhaust all measures in the fight against galamsey. He criticized those who, after causing environmental destruction, attempt to defend their actions.
On enforcement, the Minister confirmed that several arrests have already been made, with cases at different stages of prosecution. He added that the Attorney General is personally overseeing the prosecutions to ensure accountability.
“I think that the Attorney General is on top of this matter, and anybody engaged in illegal mining, we don’t care who you are or how politically connected, we will arrest and prosecute you,” he emphasized.
The move to classify rivers and forests as security zones is expected to give state security agencies greater authority to clamp down on illegal mining operations, which continue to threaten Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.