The government has handed over 24 vehicles and 250 motorbikes to five major institutions as part of efforts to strengthen environmental monitoring and clamp down on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The beneficiary agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry Services Division, Minerals Commission, Water Resources Commission, and the Ghana Geological Survey Authority.

The equipment, procured through an inter-agency collaboration led by the EPA, is intended to enhance mobility and operational efficiency in the nationwide campaign against illegal mining, an activity that continues to threaten Ghana’s rivers, forest reserves, and ecosystems.

At a brief presentation ceremony in Accra, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to build institutional capacity and improve coordination in the ongoing anti-galamsey operations.

“Government is putting resources where they matter most,” he said. “Safeguarding our water bodies and forests demands not only commitment but also mobility and logistics. These vehicles and motorbikes are vital to ensuring that our enforcement teams can reach even the most remote areas.”

According to the Minister, the vehicles will support both security and field monitoring operations by agencies stationed across key ecological zones.

He added that the gesture reflects President John Dramani Mahama’s unwavering commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.

Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the beneficiary institutions, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, commended the government for its support and expressed optimism about improved field operations.

“These logistics will significantly enhance our ability to monitor and respond swiftly to environmental challenges,” she said. “This is a strong signal of the government’s resolve, but we also recognize that there’s more to be done. We’ll continue to pursue additional resources to sustain the fight.”

Prof. Klutse revealed that the vehicles were procured under a directive from President Mahama to fast-track the acquisition of essential tools for environmental enforcement. She added that each agency would take full responsibility for maintaining and using the resources effectively.

The new vehicles are expected to bolster the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force and the Blue Water Guards, who work across critical forest and water catchment areas.

This renewed investment highlights the government’s determination to intensify the fight against galamsey through improved coordination, technology-driven monitoring, and stronger community engagement.