Sam George Calls for All-Out War on Galamsey in Honour of Fallen Defence Minister

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has called for an uncompromising national campaign against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, 12 August, Mr George described the recent helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and seven others as a wake-up call for the nation to confront the menace decisively.

“My belief and resolve in the fight against galamsey is as strong as it has ever been,” he said. “I lost my big brother, Kofi Omane Boamah, and seven other sons of our land because of galamsey. The least we can do in their memory is to wage an all-out war on it.”

He revealed that the late Defence Minister had a long-standing fear of flying but overcame it to join a mission against illegal mining. “Omane had refused to sit in helicopters or planes since becoming Defence Minister. This was literally one of the only times he agreed to fly – and it was because of galamsey. That should tell you how deeply invested he was in this fight,” Mr George noted.

The Minister disclosed that Dr Boamah had tasked him with developing both technological and strategic approaches to combat illegal mining, including the use of digital tools as part of a wider national strategy. He vowed to carry these plans forward in honour of those who died.

Drawing parallels with the murder of Major Maxwell Mahama in 2017 during an anti-galamsey operation, Mr George warned against repeating past mistakes. “We failed to act meaningfully after the tragic death of Major Mahama, and now eight more brave souls have been lost. How many more are we waiting for?”

He stressed that further inaction would be a betrayal of those who have already paid the ultimate price in the battle to protect Ghana’s environment. “There must be decisive action, it’s non-negotiable,” he concluded.

Background:
The helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region occurred while the victims were en route to launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi.

The deceased were:

• Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence

• Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment

• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

• Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC

• Mr Samuel Aboagye, former Parliamentary Candidate

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, pilot

• Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, co-pilot

• Sergeant Ernest Addo, flight engineer