Ghana’s fight against galamsey, or illegal mining, is about to take a new turn. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has hinted at introducing innovative strategies to protect the country’s water bodies. Speaking during his vetting on January 27, 2025, Buah acknowledged the efforts of the military and police in addressing the issue but emphasized the need for sustainable solutions.
The current approach, which relies heavily on military interventions, has proven to be costly and temporary. “The military and police have done well, but it’s not cheap to keep them in these locations permanently,” Buah explained. “They clear the area, leave, and within a month, the illegal miners return.” This cycle of temporary solutions has not effectively addressed the problem, and Buah recognizes that a new approach is necessary.
One of the proposed measures is the creation of “water guards” similar to forest guards. These water guards would be trained to focus on protecting water bodies as part of a long-term strategy. Buah emphasized that this is not just a security job, but a fight for the soul of the country – its water bodies. “We need creative ideas to address this comprehensively,” he added.
The minister-designate assured Ghanaians that he would explore innovative programs to tackle galamsey while ensuring the survival of vital water resources. This is a critical issue, as over 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are polluted due to illegal mining activities. The introduction of new strategies to protect Ghana’s water bodies is a step in the right direction, and Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how these plans unfold.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
