The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has declared Ghana’s forest reserves and river bodies as Security Zones to be protected at all costs in the fight against illegal mining.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a week-long training programme for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Sunyani, Mr. Buah commended the task force for its achievements since its establishment in June.
These include the arrest of more than 1,000 illegal miners, the recovery of nine forest reserves, and the seizure of over 900 water pumps, now redirected to the Ministry of Agriculture to support irrigation.
“These are not mere statistics. They are victories; victories for our land, for our water, and for our people,” he said.
He reminded officers that the fight was far from over, stressing that NAIMOS was being trained to act as a united front of the Army, Police, Immigration, NIB, and NACOC. Modules included weapons handling, intelligence coordination, and IED awareness.
“You are the sharpened tip of the spear. 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,” Mr. Buah charged.
The Minister also outlined a five-pronged strategy built on enforcement, education, alternative livelihoods, innovation, and institutional coordination.
He announced that NAIMOS personnel will be permanently deployed to protect forests and rivers, assuring them of government and public support.
“We cannot fail, and we will not fail,” he emphasized.
The intensified deployment forms part of government’s broader agenda to sustain reforms in the mining sector and ensure responsible, sustainable practices nationwide.
