GAF has been empowered to fight galamsey menace - Defence Minister

The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, reaffirmed the government's commitment to ending illegal mining. He stated that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are fully empowered to tackle the galamsey issue.

His comments followed a significant military operation in the Western Region. During this operation, authorities uncovered and dismantled an illegal mining settlement with over 10,000 residents.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 16, Dr. Boamah emphasized that talk is over. He stressed that the government will focus on achieving real results.

“We’ll talk less and let action guide us,” he said. This highlights a shift towards decisive enforcement instead of public discussions.

The Defence Minister also appealed to illegal miners to leave protected areas. He urged them to “leave the forest reserves and water bodies.”

“Save your lives. Save the environment,” he implored. He noted the long-term damage illegal mining causes to people and nature.

Dr. Boamah assured the public that the military has full authority and support for their mission. “The Ghana Armed Forces has been empowered,” he declared.

He signaled that the government is ready to take all necessary actions to protect Ghana’s environment and resources.