Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying the fight against illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—as part of broader institutional reforms to protect Ghana’s environment.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, July 21, Dr. Boamah acknowledged that despite some progress, illegal mining remains a major threat to the country’s natural resources and ecosystems.
He outlined a renewed strategy that integrates military involvement, policy reviews, and stakeholder collaboration to strengthen the national response to the issue.
“The Ghana Armed Forces have played a critical supporting role in the fight against illegal mining. We’re not out of the woods yet, but there is hope because there is political will at the highest level,” Dr. Boamah stated.
According to the minister, the government has conducted a comprehensive assessment of its anti-galamsey efforts, resulting in the introduction of new institutional frameworks to improve coordination and enforcement.
“We have reviewed our approach and worked closely with stakeholders to reform the fight. The establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat is a direct outcome of this review,” he said.
Dr. Boamah commended the Ghana Armed Forces for leading recovery operations in forest reserves that were previously inaccessible due to the threat posed by illegal miners.
“The recovery of several forest reserves earlier this year—areas our forest guards could not previously access—was made possible by the efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces,” he noted.
He also highlighted the role of the Ghana Navy in supporting efforts to curb illegal mining activities along water bodies. Naval forces, he said, joined ground troops in Operation Halt II to clamp down on illegal operations along the River Ankobra in the Western and Western North Regions.
“The navy supported land forces in Operation Halt II to combat illegal mining along the River Ankobra,” Dr. Boamah added.
His remarks come amid mounting public pressure on the government to take more decisive action against galamsey, particularly in areas where vital water sources and farmlands continue to suffer degradation.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Nana Agyenim Boateng Sikapa
