Security Consultant Richard Kumadoe has argued that the Ghana Armed Forces have the strength and capacity to bring an end to illegal mining, popularly called galamsey, but political interference remains the greatest obstacle.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Mr. Kumadoe maintained that the military could resolve the challenge if given a free hand. “If you leave this operation in the hands of the military, they would have dealt with it in no time,” he said.
He explained that contradictory political instructions undermine the confidence and effectiveness of law enforcement.
“We as law enforcement officers see politicians and civilians as people who want to play hide and seek. However, you create a psychological problem for them when you ask them to go to the place, and you are the same person holding their hands,” he noted.
According to him, the failure to empower security agencies fully has turned galamsey into a protracted national crisis. He warned that unless political leaders step back and allow the military to work without interference, illegal mining will continue to damage Ghana’s environment and water resources.
In the same vein, the CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, shared his thoughts on the recent helicopter crash and the national conversation that followed.
“There will be a need for more helicopters to be procured. When we get there, we should be careful that we don’t subject it to partisan politics,” he stated during a panel discussion on TV3’s KeyPoints.
He further cautioned against rushing into uninformed commentary, urging the public and politicians to allow investigations to take their course.
“Let the evidence-based forensic investigations be undertaken so that when we are properly seized with adequate information, we can begin to make comments and recommendations.
“Conjecturing based on opinionated ignorance doesn’t help,” he added.
Prof. Gyampo stressed that while the nation may indeed require more helicopters, discussions about procurement should be grounded in evidence and national interest, not political scoring.
