Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, revealed that as part of a renewed attempt to stop illegal mining, or galamsey, the government will shortly designate all Ghanaian rivers and forests as security zones.
Anyone found mining illegally within the restricted regions will do so “at their own risk,” the industry minister warned.
Speaking yesterday, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah stated, “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.”
“When the President said that we are going to use all the steps, that’s what he meant. And so I’m very confident. How can people leave red zones for you when you come and clear within nine months? And those people who have caused the damage have the audacity to be talking?” he said.
Recounting the arrests to date, the Minister assured the public that the Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice have taken steps to speed up proceedings.
He emphasised that the law will be enforced impartially and fearlessly.
“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 said.
It is anticipated that the decision to designate rivers and forests as security zones will enable state security forces to take more aggressive measures against illicit mining operations, which continue to devastate water bodies and forest reserves throughout the nation.
Source: newsthemegh.com