The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), in partnership with Ghana’s security agencies, has ramped up its campaign against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, by training and deploying more combat-ready personnel for operations across the country.
Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most urgent environmental problems, leaving forests, rivers, and farmlands ravaged. Experts caution that contaminated water and soils are reducing agricultural productivity and endangering public health.
Responding to the crisis, President John Dramani Mahama instructed sector Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to suspend the issuance of new mining licenses while a comprehensive sector review is undertaken. The Minister has also petitioned the Attorney-General to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which has faced criticism from civil society for allegedly enabling galamsey activities.
In a further step, the Minister launched the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) to coordinate and strengthen anti-galamsey interventions. Officials report that NAIMOS is already yielding positive results.
To consolidate these gains, NAIMOS Coordinator, Col. Buah, has introduced a specialised training programme for security officers. The training covers forest laws, land regulations, and operational protocols, equipping over a thousand personnel to deter, halt, and apprehend illegal miners at more than 44 identified flashpoints.
Unlike previous efforts, the newly trained officers will be stationed permanently at affected sites and rotated regularly to maintain vigilance. The initiative also calls for close collaboration with traditional leaders, while emphasizing uncompromised enforcement.
This crackdown builds on earlier interventions, such as rCOMSDEP and Blue Water Guards, aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources. Minister Armah-Kofi Buah affirmed the government’s commitment to responsible mining, declaring, “This government supports responsible mining, but we will not tolerate destruction of our environment and livelihoods.”
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
