The government has declared all forest reserves and river bodies as Security Zones, signaling an uncompromising stance against illegal mining (galamsey). The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, made the announcement at the closing ceremony of a week-long intensive training programme for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Sunyani.
Hon. Buah commended the task force for its achievements since its establishment in June this year, including the arrest of over 1,000 illegal miners, repossession of nine previously restricted forest reserves, and confiscation of more than 900 water pumps, now repurposed by the Ministry of Agriculture for irrigation.
“These are not mere statistics. They are victories—victories for our land, for our water, and for our people,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the training was not routine but a “convergence of purpose,” aimed at sharpening skills, strengthening cohesion, and harmonizing efforts among the Ghana Army, Police Service, Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and NACOC officers.
Outlining the Ministry’s 5-Pronged Strategy—enforcement, engagement and education, alternative livelihoods, technological innovation, and institutional coordination—Hon. Buah explained that the training modules covered weapons handling, field craft, IED awareness, and intelligence coordination to prepare personnel against evolving threats.
“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,” he charged.
He announced that NAIMOS personnel will be permanently deployed in forest reserves and river zones to ensure sustained protection, urging them to serve with vigilance, integrity, and courage. “We cannot fail, and we will not fail,” he declared.
The field training marks a turning point in the government’s anti-galamsey strategy, scaling up enforcement while advancing reforms in the mining sector to safeguard the environment for future generations.
