Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has reaffirmed the government’s determination to intensify the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, stressing that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has played a vital role in recent progress.
Dr. Boamah acknowledged that illegal mining continues to threaten Ghana’s environment and water bodies but insisted the situation is improving due to decisive political leadership and institutional collaboration in a speech delivered at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, July 21
“The Ghana Armed Forces has played a supporting role in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey). We are not out of the woods yet as a nation, but there is hope because there is a political will at the very top,” the Defence Minister said.
He noted that a comprehensive review of the fight against illegal mining has led to structural reforms, including the creation of a dedicated anti-illegal mining body.
“We have reviewed the fight against illegal mining and have worked with stakeholders to reform the fight. The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat is a product of the review of such an exercise,” Dr. Boamah explained.
The minister also highlighted the Armed Forces’ recent successes, particularly in reclaiming forest reserves that had been overrun by illegal miners.
“The recovery of several forest reserves early this year, which our forest guards could not venture was led by the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
Dr. Boamah added that the Ghana Navy has also played an instrumental role by supporting ground operations during Operation Halt II, aimed at flushing out illegal miners operating along the River Ankobra in the Western and Western North Regions.
“Additionally, the navy supported land forces in Operation Halt 2 to combat illegal mining along River Ankobra,” he noted.
