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Lands Minister Declares Forest Reserves, River Bodies as Security Zones; NAIMOS Charged to Be ‘Ruthless’
September 28, 2025
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has declared Ghana’s forest reserves and river bodies as Security Zones, warning that they will be protected “at all costs” under the country’s intensified fight against illegal mining.
He made the declaration at the closing ceremony of a week-long intensive training programme for personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Sunyani on Friday.
“You are the sharpened tip of the spear. Any recalcitrant entrant into these declared Security Zones is not merely a trespasser; they are an enemy of the state and are to be treated as such,” Mr. Buah charged.
“Be firm, resolute, and ruthless against those who seek to profit from the destruction of our common heritage.”
Permanent deployment
The Minister announced that NAIMOS personnel — drawn from the Ghana Army, Police Service, Immigration Service, NIB, and NACOC — will be permanently stationed in forest reserves and along river bodies to provide sustained protection.
He urged them to uphold vigilance, integrity, and courage, stressing that the President and the Ghanaian people are counting on them:
“We cannot fail, and we will not fail.”
Achievements so far
Since its establishment in June, NAIMOS has made significant gains, including:
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Arrests of over 1,000 illegal miners.
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Repossession of nine previously inaccessible forest reserves.
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Confiscation of over 900 water pump machines, now transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture for irrigation support.
“These are not mere statistics,” Mr. Buah said. “They are victories — victories for our land, for our water, and for our people.”
A coordinated strategy
The Minister outlined a five-pronged strategy to combat illegal mining:
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Strict enforcement of laws.
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Community engagement and education.
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Provision of alternative livelihoods.
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Technological innovation in monitoring and reclamation.
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Stronger institutional coordination.
He explained that the training modules — covering weapons handling, field craft, IED awareness, and intelligence coordination — were designed to prepare NAIMOS to deal with evolving threats.
Reactions from stakeholders
Environmental groups have welcomed the declaration but urged government to go beyond force.
Madam Patricia Ankrah of the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Network said:
“We are happy to see forest reserves finally treated as security assets. But the government must also prioritize community livelihoods. Without alternatives, illegal mining will resurface.”
Some community leaders in mining-affected areas also expressed mixed feelings.
Nana Kwame Boateng, a chief in the Western Region, said:
“We support the move to protect our rivers, but sometimes innocent farmers are harassed in the process. The task force must distinguish between illegal miners and ordinary villagers.”
Meanwhile, small-scale miners’ associations have called for clarity on how licensed operators will be protected from harassment, warning that the blanket designation of security zones could hurt legitimate mining businesses.
Sustaining reforms
The Minister insisted the approach marks a pivotal moment in government’s anti-galamsey fight — not just scaling up enforcement but embedding reforms to ensure responsible and sustainable mining practices across Ghana.
