Government to Declare Forest Reserves and Water Bodies as National Security Zones to Fight Galamsey
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that government will soon designate all forest reserves and water bodies as national security zones in a renewed crackdown on illegal mining (galamsey).
Speaking on GTV on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Mr. Buah said the move forms part of intensified efforts to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources from destruction and ensure their lasting protection.
“The President has made it very clear that we are moving all the water bodies and the forest reserves into national security zones, which means they will become no-go areas. We are now preparing to deploy permanent military to these areas,” he stated.
The minister explained that a permanent security presence in these protected zones will act as a strong deterrent to illegal miners, whose activities continue to destroy water bodies, pollute rivers, and degrade farmlands across the country.
The announcement comes at a time when pressure is mounting on government from civil society groups, traditional authorities, and ordinary citizens to take more decisive action against the galamsey menace, which has become one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges.
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