As the government steps up its efforts to combat illegal mining, often known as galamsey, Ghana’s Minister of Defense, Dr. Omane Boamah, has sent a strong warning to illegal miners, telling them to avoid Ghana’s forest reserves.
Dr. Boamah stressed the catastrophic effects of galamsey on the nation’s ecosystem and natural resources in a forcefully written message posted on his Facebook page, making it plain that illicit mining operations in protected forest regions will no longer be allowed. “Avoid the forest reserves and galamsey in the name of God and Ghana! “It’s sufficient to speak to the wise!” he said.
His remarks come after the Forestry Commission and the military recently conducted a joint operation in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region that led to the arrest of illegal miners and the seizure of mining equipment. Nine excavators and one bulldozer were seized during the operation, which is a component of the government’s redoubled efforts to stop illicit mining and protect Ghana’s forests. Dr. Boamah also reaffirmed the need for mining operations to be conducted lawfully, advising anybody with an interest in the industry to secure the required regulatory approvals.
Seek the required regulatory approvals if mining is something you’re interested in. We won’t speak much,” he cautioned.
Using the hashtags #EAGLEEYES and #ActivateAllBodyCameras, he also alluded to the use of cutting-edge monitoring technology, implying heightened enforcement and surveillance efforts to find and capture illicit miners.