Illegal Mining in Ghana: Defence Minister Dr. Omane Boamah Issues Strong Warning to Illegal Miners: “Stay Away from Ghana’s Forest Reserves!”
Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Omane Boamah, has delivered a stern warning to illegal miners, making it crystal clear that the government will not tolerate galamsey activities in the country’s forest reserves.
Government Intensifies Crackdown on Galamsey
In a strongly worded statement on his Facebook page, Dr. Boamah emphasized the destructive impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and natural resources, warning miners to stay out of protected forest areas.
“In the name of God and Ghana, stay away from the forest reserves and galamsey! A word to the wise is enough!”
His firm stance comes in the wake of a highly coordinated joint operation by the Forestry Commission and the Ghana Armed Forces, which led to the seizure of heavy mining equipment and the arrest of illegal miners in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
Massive Seizure of Mining Equipment
During the crackdown, security forces confiscated nine excavators and one bulldozer, reinforcing the government’s renewed commitment to eradicating illegal mining and safeguarding Ghana’s forests from destruction.
Mining Must Be Legal – Boamah Warns
Dr. Boamah stressed that while mining is a legitimate industry, it must be done legally. He urged anyone interested in the sector to obtain the necessary regulatory permits or face the full force of the law.
“If you’re interested in mining, seek the necessary regulatory permits. We’ll not talk much,” he cautioned.
Advanced Surveillance Technology to Track Illegal Miners
In a bid to tighten enforcement, Dr. Boamah hinted at the deployment of high-tech monitoring systems, including body cameras and aerial surveillance, using the hashtags #EAGLEEYES and #ActivateAllBodyCameras. This suggests a more advanced tracking system to catch illegal miners in real-time.
Galamsey: A Threat to Ghana’s Future
Illegal mining, or galamsey, has long been a critical environmental challenge in Ghana, leading to:
✅ Severe deforestation
✅ Water pollution (mercury contamination in rivers)
✅ Soil degradation and loss of arable land
Despite repeated government crackdowns, many miners continue to operate unlawfully, causing irreversible damage to Ghana’s forests and river bodies.
Tougher Measures Expected
With the government’s latest aggressive stance, more stringent enforcement actions are expected, ensuring illegal miners are stopped in their tracks and Ghana’s natural resources are preserved for future generations.
As the fight against galamsey intensifies, all eyes will be on the Ministry of Defence and law enforcement agencies to see if this crackdown delivers lasting results.
SOURCE: DEW360.NET
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL : https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakDz4u9RZATWh53yC1a
