Ghana will establish permanent military installations at strategic locations near water bodies and forest reserves to fight illegal mining operations. Deputy Minister Yussif Sulemana announced the initiative at the West and Central Africa Mining Summit in Accra on Thursday. Security forces had successfully removed illegal miners from protected areas, but the operations lacked lasting impact because miners returned after troops departed.
The government reclaimed nine forest reserves that previous administrations had lost to illegal mining activities. Sulemana stated that permanent bases would prevent miners from returning to cleared sites. He defended government efforts against illegal mining, citing improved water quality measurements despite journalist challenges about high turbidity readings at treatment facilities. The minister requested public patience while new enforcement measures take effect across affected regions.
The government reclaimed nine forest reserves that previous administrations had lost to illegal mining activities. Sulemana stated that permanent bases would prevent miners from returning to cleared sites. He defended government efforts against illegal mining, citing improved water quality measurements despite journalist challenges about high turbidity readings at treatment facilities. The minister requested public patience while new enforcement measures take effect across affected regions.
