Galamsey fight: Water guards to replace military – Armah-Kofi Buah
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has announced plans under President Mahama’s administration to introduce water guards as a replacement for the military in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey.’
He explained that the permanent deployment of the military to protect rivers and water bodies is costly and unsustainable.
Instead, he said water guards will be tasked with safeguarding forest reserves and water bodies.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 27, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in combating illegal mining under previous administrations but emphasized the need for a more efficient and cost-effective approach.
He stated that the introduction of water guards would ensure better protection of Ghana’s natural resources while addressing the challenges associated with illegal mining activities.
“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. The police and the military have played a critical role. If I get a chance as a minister we’re going to evaluate the new programme. For example, I have very new exciting ideas about what to do with the protection of our environment.
“One of the problems I got to know was that it’s not cheap to get the military to continue permanently in these locations. It used to be that they would come to a place and clear everybody [illegal miners], and for 6 months nobody would be there. Now, they come, clear and within one month they come back. So we have to think about new ideas.
Source; Citinewsroom
