RIVERS AND FORESTS TO BE DECLARED SECURITY ZONES IN RENEWED GALAMSEY FIGHT – LANDS MINISTER

Government has hinted at a bold new step in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, with plans to designate all rivers and forests across the country as security zones.

Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed the measure during an interview on the GTV Breakfast Show. He warned that individuals who attempt to engage in mining within these protected areas would be doing 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,” he stressed.

According to the Minister, the government’s stance reflects President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to deploy every possible measure in the fight against galamsey. He criticised the destruction caused by illegal miners, questioning how such damage could be inflicted in less than a year, only for perpetrators to still have the “audacity” to defend their actions.

On enforcement, Mr. Buah noted that arrests have already been made, with cases at various stages of prosecution. He assured that the Attorney General is personally involved in handling these cases and reiterated that no one, regardless of status or political connections, would be shielded.

“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 declared.

The designation of rivers and forests as security zones is expected to give state security agencies broader authority to act decisively against illegal mining operators, whose activities continue to devastate Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.