By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has hinted at new strategies to protect Ghana’s water bodies in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Speaking during his vetting on January 27, 2025, he acknowledged the critical role of the military and police in addressing the issue but emphasised the need for sustainable solutions.
The MP for Ellembelle constituency pointed out the challenges with relying solely on military interventions, noting that their operations are costly and temporary. “The military and police have done well, especially with our polluted waters, but it’s not cheap to keep them in these locations permanently. They clear the area, leave, and within a month, the illegal miners return,” he explained.
He proposed the introduction of new measures, including the creation of “water guards” similar to forest guards. These water guards, he said, would be trained to focus on protecting water bodies as part of a long-term strategy.
“This is not just a security job; it’s about fighting for the soul of our country—our water bodies. We need creative ideas to address this comprehensively,” Buah added.
The minister-designate assured Ghanaians that if given the opportunity, he would explore innovative programs to tackle galamsey while ensuring the survival of vital water resources.
