Dr. Jonathan Asante Okyere, a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, has proposed that the government and military authorities equip soldiers deployed to combat illegal mining (galamsey) with body-worn cameras. The suggestion aims to ensure accountability and prevent the soldiers from being compromised during their operations.
Dr. Asante Okyere argued that while the military plays a crucial role in addressing the galamsey menace, there is a risk that some soldiers could be influenced or compromised by illegal miners.
The call for body cameras comes amid ongoing military operations under the government’s “Operation Halt” initiative. This operation has seen soldiers destroy illegal mining equipment, such as 18 chanfans and 10 industrial water pumping machines, in a bid to curb the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
However, Colonel Festus Aboagye (Retired), a security expert, criticized the government’s military deployment as an ineffective, short-term solution. Speaking in an interview, Colonel Aboagye described the military’s intervention as “the laziest approach to combating any national security threat.” He pointed out the lack of intelligence on the galamsey operations and questioned the sustainability of the military presence in the long run.
He added that a clear political objective and timeline for the military’s involvement are crucial to assess the effectiveness of the operation. Colonel Aboagye also raised concerns about the broader strategy, questioning why the government had not developed a more comprehensive plan for tackling galamsey.
In response to growing concerns about the galamsey crisis, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently directed the Ministry of Defence to deploy additional military forces to intensify Operation Halt. He also ordered the suspension of L.I. 2462, which regulates mining in forest reserves, in response to pressures from Organized Labour, which had threatened a nationwide strike.
The operation’s expanded scope includes the deployment of naval boats to combat illegal mining activities around polluted river bodies. Despite these measures, experts like Colonel Aboagye argue that the government needs a more sustainable, intelligence-driven approach to tackling the galamsey problem.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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