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Dr. Yusif Sulemana to establish permanent military camps along rivers

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Dr. Yusif Sulemana, has announced the government’s plan to establish permanent military camps along select river bodies across Ghana. This strategic move is designed to combat the persistent threat of illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, which continues to devastate the nation's water sources. By positioning military personnel at these locations, the government aims to create a continuous surveillance and response mechanism that prevents illegal miners from returning to sites that have already been cleared during previous enforcement actions. Dr. Sulemana emphasized that the primary objective of these camps is to sustain the momentum of law enforcement operations. In the past, illegal miners have often waited for security forces to finish their sweeps before re-occupying the same stretches of river. The permanent camps are intended to break this cycle by ensuring a constant presence that deters illegal activities and provides immediate intervention if miners attempt to resume operations. This initiative reflects a more robust approach to protecting the environmental integrity of the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Addressing concerns about the economic impact of these measures, the Deputy Minister clarified that the government’s resolve remains firm despite the significant revenues generated by the gold mining sector. He noted that the ongoing seizure of mining equipment and the prosecution of offenders serve as clear evidence of the administration's commitment to the rule of law. The establishment of these permanent bases signals a transition from intermittent raids to a long-term security strategy aimed at securing Ghana’s water bodies for future generations while regulating the mining industry more effectively.