The Government of Ghana has outlined new measures aimed at curbing illegal mining, with particular attention to operations polluting waterbodies and degrading forest reserves.

Presenting the policy direction in Parliament on Wednesday, February 25, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed that the state will roll out targeted interventions to address the growing environmental threat.

He announced that the Ghana Armed Forces will spearhead a nationwide waterbody cleaning exercise within designated mining zones as part of intensified efforts to restore polluted rivers and streams.

In addition, the National Inter-Ministerial Committee on Small-Scale Mining (NAIMOS) is expected to scale up its enforcement operations, focusing specifically on illegal mining activities taking place in watercourses and forest reserves.

“Special efforts in the form of nationwide waterbody cleaning campaign within designated mining areas will be undertaken by the Ghana Armed Forces.

“The NAIMOS shall intensify their activities against illegal mining, especially illegal mining activities in waterbodies and forest reserves,” Dr Forson told lawmakers.

The renewed strategy forms part of broader government efforts to safeguard natural resources and address the environmental damage associated with unauthorised small-scale mining.