ACCRA, Sept 26 (The African Portal) – Ghana plans to station permanent military bases at key water bodies and forest reserves as part of stepped-up efforts to curb illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, a deputy minister said on Thursday.
Yussif Sulemana, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said the measure was needed because miners often returned to sites shortly after security operations forced them out.
“Going forward, we are going to have permanent military bases at appropriate vantage places, so that as we flush them out, there is that presence there, and the galamsey operators are not able to come back,” he told participants at the 11th West and Central Africa Mining Summit and Expo in Accra.
He said a taskforce, the National Inter-Ministerial Operation Against Illegal Mining, had been successful in clearing encroachers, but the absence of a lasting security presence left areas vulnerable.
Sulemana added that nine forest reserves previously lost to illegal mining under the former administration had been reclaimed. “Plans are far advanced for this to happen,” he said, referring to the establishment of permanent bases.
Rising turbidity levels
On water quality, Sulemana said turbidity levels in rivers were lower than before, evidence he argued showed progress. He dismissed criticism from journalists citing recent data showing dangerously high readings, including levels as high as 32,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) in the Central Region, compared with design thresholds of around 11,000 NTU.
“The way comparisons are made is important. If you fetched water from a certain part of River Pra in 2022, you must return to that same spot for accurate data,” he said.
Ghana Water Limited has confirmed that high turbidity levels have forced several plants to suspend or restrict operations.
Sulemana stressed that the military deployment was not tantamount to a state of emergency. “We want to deploy pragmatic policies and mechanisms, but we will not shy away from stronger action if necessary,” he said.
Maggie Tan, chief executive of Magenta Global, organisers of the summit, said the fight against illegal mining was crucial to protect the environment and ensure local communities benefit from resource wealth.
“Governments must find ways to curb destructive practices while ensuring that the economic benefits are reaped not just by big companies but also by local communities,” she said.
