The Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has proposed the introduction of water guards to replace the military in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah explained that the military’s permanent deployment to safeguard rivers and water bodies is unsustainable due to the high costs involved. He suggested that water guards, a specialized unit, be tasked with the protection of Ghana’s natural resources, including forest reserves and water bodies.
A New Approach to Environmental Protection
Acknowledging the critical role security forces have played in tackling galamsey, Mr. Buah highlighted the need for a more cost-effective and sustainable strategy to address the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.
“We’re already aware of the efforts of the security services, especially when it comes to our polluted waters. Today, as we speak, the state of our rivers is nothing to write home about,” he said.
He further noted that while the military’s interventions have been effective in clearing illegal miners, the issue persists as miners often return to the same locations shortly after operations.
“It used to be that they would come to a place and clear everybody, and for six months nobody would be there. Now, they come, clear, and within one month, they are back. So we have to think about new ideas,” he explained.
Introducing Water Guards
Mr. Buah proposed the establishment of water guards, similar to forest guards, who would be specifically trained to protect rivers and other water bodies. These guards would form a dedicated force to tackle the environmental and resource degradation caused by galamsey activities.
“I was thinking about the creation of water guards who are going to be trained and they are going to fight for the soul of the country,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding Ghana’s water bodies and ecosystems.
Next Steps
If approved as Minister, Mr. Buah plans to evaluate existing programmes and implement new strategies, including the establishment of water guards, to combat illegal mining more effectively. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s natural resources are preserved for future generations while addressing the socio-economic factors that fuel galamsey activities.
This proposal aligns with calls for innovative and sustainable solutions to tackle one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges.
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