By Phalonzy Lawrence
President John Dramani Mahama has delivered a powerful message of hope in Ghana’s long and bruising battle against illegal mining, declaring that the government’s aggressive clampdown on galamsey is finally producing visible and measurable results.
Addressing the graduation ceremony at the Ghana Military Academy, the President announced that some of the country’s most degraded river bodies, which were once written off as ecological casualties, are showing clear signs of recovery, a development he described as “a turning point in the national fight to reclaim our environment.”
“Our natural resources are a sacred trust,” President Mahama told the newly commissioned officers. “Yet for years, illegal mining has inflicted severe and reckless damage on our rivers, forests and farmlands. This menace is not just an environmental issue; it is an existential threat to our nation.”
He revealed that the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), coupled with a multi-layered national strategy, has begun to turn the tide against the destructive practice. The strategy, he explained, is anchored on strict law enforcement, public education, the provision of alternative livelihoods, technological surveillance, and close institutional collaboration among security agencies.
“These measures are producing results,” President Mahama declared to loud applause. “The days when illegal miners operated with impunity are drawing to a close.”
In a bold move underscoring the seriousness of government’s resolve, the President disclosed that major forests and river bodies across the country have been officially designated as security zones. Permanent military bases have been established in galamsey-prone areas, while sustained patrols and intelligence-led operations have led to numerous arrests and ongoing prosecutions.
“Forests and river bodies are now pronounced security zones,” he said. “Permanent military bases have been established, offenders have been arrested, and the law is taking its course. Rivers such as the Ankobra and the Offin, once heavily polluted, are gradually recovering.”
The President praised the Ghana Armed Forces for their discipline and professionalism in the fight, urging the graduating officers to see environmental protection as a core component of national security.
However, President Mahama was quick to caution that the gains made could easily be reversed without sustained national commitment. He stressed that the fight against galamsey would continue “without fear or favour,” but insisted that government action alone would not suffice.
“This battle requires national unity,” he emphasized. “It is a moral duty, a civic responsibility, and a generational obligation. Every Ghanaian has a role to play, traditional leaders, opinion leaders, communities, and citizens alike.”
He issued a rallying call to the nation to rise above partisan, economic and personal interests in order to safeguard Ghana’s ecological future, warning that failure to act decisively today would amount to betraying future generations.
As the President’s words echoed through the parade grounds, the message was unmistakable: the war on galamsey is far from over, but for the first time in years, the nation can see light at the end of the tunnel, and the rivers are beginning to breathe again.
