Gov’t to deploy military to rivers in fresh anti-galamsey strategy

The government has announced plans to station the military and other security agencies at critical river bodies in a renewed effort to curb illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

The move, according to the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, is intended to safeguard the nation’s water resources from further devastation.

Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, explained that unlike the Blue Water Guard operations, which are temporary, the military deployment will serve as a stronger and more lasting deterrent. “Illegal miners usually return to the sites after being dispersed, which makes the current approach unsustainable,” he said. He added that creating permanent security zones along rivers would provide continuous enforcement and prevent miners from regrouping.

But the plan has already drawn criticism from former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, who questioned whether the move offers anything new. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he recalled that under his tenure, water bodies and forest reserves were already classified as red zones. “We even went as far as burning excavators found 200 meters from the riverbanks and forest reserves. So the question is, what new implications or enforcement measures will this declaration bring?” he asked.

Mr. Jinapor further argued that what the public expects is for President John Mahama to honour the National Democratic Congress’ campaign pledge to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, which he described as the “most effective tool” to deal with the menace. He also cautioned against politicising the fight, stressing that both the NDC and the NPP must work together to protect the country’s forests and water bodies.

Meanwhile, three young men have lost their lives after an illegal mining pit caved in at Twifo Mampong in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region.

The victims were part of a group of five who reportedly sneaked into the pit to mine under the cover of darkness. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

While one person managed to escape and raise an alarm, rescuers spent several hours retrieving three bodies, with efforts still underway to locate a fourth.

Rescue operations were led by the Twifo Praso District Police Command with support from the District Chief Executive, Isaac Yawson, personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Ghana National Fire Service.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, which has claimed numerous lives across Ghana.

Galamsey pits are typically created when miners dig deep shafts into the ground without technical expertise or safety precautions, leaving the soil weak and prone to collapse.