Illegal Mining a threat, rivers need National Security shield – Joseph Cudjoe

Former Minister for Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, has urged government to classify Ghana’s major rivers as critical national security assets to safeguard them from pollution, illegal mining, and environmental degradation.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Cudjoe argued that water bodies remain vital to Ghana’s survival and development, stressing that protecting them should no longer be treated as an ordinary environmental issue but as a matter of national security.

“I suggest that the following rivers, and all rivers with water treatment plants and irrigation systems, should be declared critical national security assets and placed under the protection of a specialised security force or the regular military for continuous protection,” he stated.

He further proposed that harmful activities around such rivers should be treated as acts of aggression against the state, warranting firm security responses.

Among the rivers he highlighted for priority protection were the Volta, Black Volta, White Volta, Pra, Ankobra, Tano, and Densu — water systems that serve as lifelines for agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, transportation, and drinking water supply.

Mr. Cudjoe noted that several countries, including the United States, China, India, Brazil, Egypt, and Israel, have already adopted similar measures to secure their water resources.

He emphasized that if backed by legislation and a dedicated budget, the proposal could deliver a long-term solution to river pollution and significantly curb illegal mining (galamsey).

“We may face disapproval from those mining in and around the rivers, but many Ghanaians will welcome this decisive step, knowing government is tackling the menace head-on,” Mr. Cudjoe said.