The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that the government plans to designate all forest reserves and water bodies across Ghana as national security zones.
This move forms part of intensified efforts to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview on GTV the Minister Buah explained that the decision is aimed at protecting the country’s vital natural resources and ensuring their long-term preservation.
“The President has made it very clear that we are moving all the water bodies and the forest reserves into national security zones, which means they will become no-go areas. We are now preparing to deploy permanent military to these areas,” he said.
He added that the establishment of a permanent military presence in these zones will act as a strong deterrent against illegal miners, whose activities continue to threaten water sources and forest ecosystems nationwide.
The announcement comes amid growing pressure from civil society groups, traditional authorities, and the general public demanding decisive government action to address the rampant destruction caused by galamsey, which has severely damaged water bodies and farmlands across the country.
