Galamsey Crackdown: Government Deploys Military to Safeguard Water Bodies
Accra ,Ghana - The Mahama administration has announced plans to deploy military and security forces to protect the country's rivers from the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. This move marks a significant escalation in the fight against environmental degradation caused by galamsey.
Illegal mining has been a persistent problem in Ghana, with many rivers and water bodies facing severe pollution and degradation. Despite previous efforts to curb the practice, galamsey operators often return to their sites after being dispersed, rendering temporary measures ineffective.
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, speaking at the 11th West and Central Africa Mining Summit on Thursday, September 25, explained that deploying military personnel or setting up permanent security zones along river bodies will provide continuous enforcement and prevent miners from regrouping. This approach is expected to serve as a stronger deterrent compared to temporary measures like the Blue Water Guard.
However, former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has questioned the effectiveness of this move, arguing that declaring water bodies and forest reserves as security zones is not new. During his tenure, such areas were already classified as red zones, and excavators found near riverbanks and forest reserves were burned. Jinapor wonders what new implications or enforcement measures this declaration will bring.
Jinapor also cautioned against politicizing the galamsey fight, stressing that both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) must present a united front to protect the country's forests and water bodies from destruction. He believes Ghanaians expect President John Mahama to honor the NDC's campaign promise to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, describing it as the "most effective tool" in tackling the menace.
Credit – My Joy Online
