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In a decisive move to protect Ghana’s natural resources, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced that all forest reserves and water bodies across the country will soon be designated as national security zones.
Speaking during an interview on GTV, Minister Buah stated that the government is intensifying its efforts to eradicate illegal mining — locally known as galamsey — by placing these ecologically sensitive areas under permanent protection.
“The President has made it very clear that we are moving all the water bodies and the forest reserves into national security zones, which means they will become no-go areas,” Buah said. “We are now preparing to deploy permanent military to these areas.”
The new designation will empower security agencies to enforce strict restrictions, prevent illegal encroachment, and deter the destructive activities that have plagued Ghana’s forests and water sources in recent years.
The initiative comes amid growing national concern over the environmental impact of galamsey. Civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and affected communities have increasingly called for bold, sustained government intervention to restore degraded lands and polluted rivers.
By elevating these areas to the status of national security zones, the government aims to create a strong legal and operational framework that ensures long-term protection of Ghana’s ecological heritage.
The move is part of a broader national strategy to safeguard natural resources, ensure sustainable land use, and preserve water bodies critical to agriculture, livelihoods, and public health.
