The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Member of Parliament for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has unveiled a new strategy aimed at intensifying the fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
The announcement comes amid growing public concern over environmental destruction and increasing calls for the declaration of a state of emergency. However, President John Dramani Mahama has insisted that such a declaration is unnecessary, despite mounting criticism.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu revealed in an interview with Channel One TV that the new strategy involves a permanent military deployment in all areas under threat from illegal mining.
“All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence,” he stated.
He explained that this marks a shift from previous approaches, where security forces carried out short-term operations and left after crackdowns. “In the past, they would go and flush out the characters engaged in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have a permanent military presence,” he added.
The minister also emphasized that the initiative would extend to protecting the country’s rivers and other vital water bodies. “All the rivers we have will have a permanent military presence,” he stressed.
The government believes this move will provide a more sustainable and effective response to the menace of illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s natural resources, particularly its water bodies and arable lands.
