Mahama Sets Aside GH¢200m for NAIMOS and Blue Water Guards in 2027 Budget

According to a post on Pulse Ghana Official account on Saturday, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama has announced a GH¢200 million allocation in Ghana’s 2027 Budget to support the National Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards as the government intensifies its fight against illegal mining.

Mahama announced the funding during the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra on October 19, 2026. The allocation is intended to strengthen enforcement operations against galamsey and improve efforts to protect the country’s rivers and other natural resources. <Cite refs={[“turn828856search0″,”turn828856search4”]}/>

Illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, remains a major environmental concern in Ghana, with mining activities contributing to water pollution, forest destruction and the degradation of farmland.

NAIMOS coordinates operations targeting illegal mining, while the Blue Water Guards help monitor and protect water bodies threatened by the activities of illegal miners.

The proposed funding is expected to support the work of both bodies as authorities seek to prevent further environmental damage and strengthen enforcement in affected communities.

During the summit, Mahama also announced a major reforestation initiative involving the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the REDD+ programme. The initiative is expected to cover several parts of Ghana, including the Savannah regions. <Cite refs={[“turn828856search0″,”turn828856search1”]}/>

The government has also earmarked a separate GH¢200 million for the reclamation of 5,000 acres of land damaged by illegal mining, with the restoration programme expected to begin in 2027. <Cite refs={[“turn828856search1″,”turn828856search2”]}/>

Together, the announced allocations highlight the government’s plans to combine enforcement with environmental restoration.

However, the impact of the funding will depend on effective implementation, accountability and sustained monitoring to ensure that resources deliver measurable improvements.

As Ghana continues its campaign against galamsey, attention will turn to how the agencies use the proposed funding to protect water sources, restore damaged land and prevent illegal mining from spreading further.

Kumasnews feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com