The Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, has vowed that government will not back down in its war against illegal mining, warning that galamsey remains one of the biggest threats to Ghana’s environment and development.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, Dr. Boamah declared that the crackdown on illegal mining is being waged with full political backing and military might.
“We are not out of the woods yet as a nation, but there is hope because there is political will at the very top,” the Minister stressed.
He credited the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly through Operation Halt II, for their role in dismantling illegal mining sites and protecting key rivers and water bodies from pollution.
“The Ghana Armed Forces have played significant roles in the fight against illegal mining,” he said. “Their continued deployment and equipment support across affected areas are critical to sustaining this fight.”
Dr. Boamah also highlighted the Ghana Navy’s patrols along the River Ankobra, which has suffered severe pollution from years of illegal mining in the Western and Western North Regions.
“In Operation Halt II, the Navy supported land forces to combat illegal mining along the River Ankobra, which had suffered from years of pollution,” he explained.
The Minister reiterated that the government views galamsey as more than an environmental issue, calling it a national security risk and a public health concern.
“The fight will continue with full force,” he assured, “until illegal mining is brought under control.”
