President John Dramani Mahama has announced that GH¢200 million has been allocated in the 2027 Budget to support the activities of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards.
Speaking at the 2026 Mining in Motion Forum in Accra, the President said the allocation forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen interventions aimed at tackling illegal mining and protecting Ghana’s natural resources.
“In the budget of 2027, 200 million Ghana cedis have been allocated for the activities of NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards,” he said.
The announcement comes amid efforts to intensify the fight against illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, which has contributed to the degradation of forest reserves and pollution of water bodies across the country.
President Mahama also commended NAIMOS for its work in addressing illegal mining and highlighted the need for sustained action to protect the environment.
He said the government was pursuing a broader approach to environmental protection, including a major reforestation initiative being undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in collaboration with REDD+.
The initiative is expected to cover various parts of the country, including the savannah regions.
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The President stressed that Ghana’s mineral resources must be developed in a manner that protects communities, safeguards the environment and ensures that the benefits of mining translate into improved livelihoods.
He called for greater cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, mining operators and local communities to ensure responsible mining and the rehabilitation of degraded lands.
