Lands minister declares forest reserves security zones, demands ruthless action against illegal miners:

In a strong declaration, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has officially designated forest reserves and river bodies across Ghana as “Security Zones,” vowing uncompromising commitment to eradicating illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.” Speaking at the closing ceremony of a week-long intensive training program for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Sunyani, Minister Buah urged the task force to be “firm, resolute, and ruthless” against illegal miners.

The Minister highlighted the significant achievements of NAIMOS since its establishment in June, including the arrest of over a thousand illegal miners, the repossession of nine previously inaccessible forest reserves, and the confiscation of over 900 water pump machines, which have been repurposed to support agricultural irrigation. “These are not mere statistics. They are victories; victories for our land, for our water, and for our people,” Buah stated.

He emphasized that the intensive training, involving personnel from the Ghana Army, Police Service, Immigration Service, NIB, and NACOC, was designed to equip the unified force to counter evolving threats. The training modules covered crucial areas such as weapons handling, field craft, IED awareness, and intelligence coordination.

Minister Buah outlined the Ministry’s “5-Pronged Strategy,” which encompasses strict enforcement, public engagement and education, provision of alternative livelihoods, technological innovation, and robust institutional coordination. He underscored the critical role of the NAIMOS personnel, stating, “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.”

To ensure sustained protection, NAIMOS personnel will be permanently deployed in forest reserves and along river bodies. Minister Buah urged them to uphold vigilance, integrity, and courage, assuring them of the nation’s reliance on their efforts to safeguard the environment for future generations. “We cannot fail, and we will not fail,” he declared.

This intensified anti-galamsey strategy signals a pivotal moment in the government’s aggressive campaign to scale up enforcement and implement reforms for responsible and sustainable mining practices nationwide.