Ghana’s fight against illegal mining has recorded significant gains with more than 1,000 arrests, the repossession of nine forest reserves, and the seizure of over 900 water pumps since June, according to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a week-long training for personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Sunyani, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, declared all forest reserves and river bodies as Security Zones.
He vowed that government would protect them “at all costs.”
“These are not mere statistics. They are victories; victories for our land, for our water, and for our people,” he said, commending NAIMOS for its successes so far.
The Minister charged the task force—which brings together the Army, Police, Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)—to remain firm and “ruthless” against illegal miners who threaten the environment.
“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,” the minister said.
He outlined a five-pronged strategy anchored on strict enforcement, education and engagement, alternative livelihoods, technological innovation, and institutional coordination.
The training, which included weapons handling, IED awareness, and intelligence coordination, was designed to sharpen the skills of personnel ahead of permanent deployment to forest reserves and riverbanks.
The government sees the training programme as a critical step in scaling up its anti-galamsey strategy, with the aim of sustaining reforms in the mining sector and ensuring responsible practices.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
