In a decisive move against illegal mining (galamsey), the government of Ghana has announced plans to declare all forest reserves and water bodies as national security zones.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, shared the news during an interview on GTV on September 24, 2025. He explained that this measure is designed to safeguard the nation’s most critical natural resources, our forests and water sources, by making them “no-go areas” for illegal mining.

“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,” Buah said.

Illegal mining has long been one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges. It pollutes rivers, destroys farmlands, and leaves entire communities without access to safe drinking water. Despite years of interventions, the problem persists. By elevating forest reserves and water bodies to national security status, the government hopes to create a powerful deterrent.

This announcement also comes in response to growing pressure from civil society groups, traditional leaders, and everyday Ghanaians who are demanding stronger action against galamsey. For many, this move signals a renewed commitment to protecting the country’s ecosystems and ensuring they can sustain future generations.

Declaring these areas as national security zones, and backing the move with permanent military deployment, could mark a turning point in the fight to preserve Ghana’s natural heritage. The stakes are high: safeguarding our forests and water bodies is not just about the environment, it’s about food security, public health, and the survival of rural communities.