The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources-designate, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has proposed the creation of "water guards" as part of efforts to tackle the growing menace of illegal mining in Ghana.

Illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey, continues to pose a significant threat to the country’s environment, polluting water bodies, damaging farmlands—including cocoa plantations—and contributing to water shortages.

Civil society organizations have been urging President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency to address the crisis.

Appearing before the Appointments Committee on Monday, January 27, Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized the need for innovative approaches to combat illegal mining, stressing that a collective effort was required.

"We have to think about new ideas. Just as we have forest guards, why not water guards?" he suggested.

He explained that these specially trained personnel would not merely serve as security operatives but would be responsible for safeguarding the country’s water bodies.

"They will be trained to understand that this is not just another security job but a fight for the survival of our country—protecting our water resources," he said.

Armah-Kofi Buah assured the committee that his ministry would adopt comprehensive and creative strategies to curb illegal mining and its devastating effects on Ghana’s environment and water supply.