Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners (galamsey operators), urging them to stop polluting Ghana’s rivers or face severe repercussions.
Speaking during an anti-galamsey operation on the Ankobra River alongside officers of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Minister said the government is determined to restore Ghana’s water bodies to their natural state.
“We are sending a warning to anybody who has been violating our laws and destroying our water bodies. We are determined to turn them blue again. This order has already been given — stay out, or you do so at your own peril,” he declared.
Mr. Buah emphasized that a major shift is underway in the fight against illegal mining, particularly operations in and around river bodies.
“We are moving to another major phase of our fight against illegal mining. No law in Ghana allows anybody to mine in any river body. Yet, our major rivers that are key to our survival are being destroyed,” he said.
The Minister further disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed security forces to take full control of all major rivers across the country as part of a new enforcement strategy to protect water bodies.
“In the coming months, you will see a new shift. President Mahama’s focus is clear — we are going to take direct control of every river body. There will be a clear occupation by our security forces on all the major rivers,” Mr. Buah stated.
