The government is taking a bold step to protect its precious water bodies from the ravages of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has announced plans to deploy military and security forces to key river bodies, marking a significant escalation in the fight against this environmental menace.

The Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Yusif Sulemana, speaking at the 11th West and Central Africa Mining Summit on Thursday, September 25, explained that, unlike the Blue Water Guard, whose interventions are often temporary, the military presence will serve as a stronger deterrent.

He noted that illegal miners usually return to the sites after being dispersed, which makes the current approach unsustainable.

According to him, deploying the military or setting up permanent security zones along the river bodies will provide continuous enforcement and prevent the miners from regrouping.

Meanwhile, former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has questioned the effectiveness of the move.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he argued that declaring water bodies and forest reserves as security zones is not new, pointing out that during his tenure, such areas were already classified as red zones.

“We even went as far as burning excavators found 200 meters from riverbanks and forest reserves. So the question is, what new implications or enforcement measures will this declaration bring?” Mr Jinapor said.

• Read also: Rivers, forests to become security zones – Lands Minister hints in intensified galamsey fight

He maintained that what Ghanaians are expecting is for President John Mahama to honour the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) campaign promise to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, describing it as the “most effective tool” in tackling the menace.

Mr Jinapor also cautioned against politicising the galamsey fight, stressing that both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) must present a united front to protect the country’s forests and water bodies from destruction.