…as Gov’t Finally Acts
By Prince Ahenkorah
In a major escalation of the war against illegal mining, the government has announced a tough new strategy that will see the military permanently deployed to galamsey hotspots across the country.
The move, revealed by Minister of State Felix Kwakye Ofosu, comes as public outrage mounts over the devastating environmental damage caused by the menace.
The government’s decision to deploy the military is a direct response to growing calls for more drastic action, with some groups even demanding a state of emergency.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme, Kwakye Ofosu said the military would be stationed in all 44 areas identified as being under threat. “All 44 areas that are under threat from galamsey will now have permanent military deployment,” he stated.
Unlike previous operations where security forces would clear out illegal miners only for them to return later, this initiative aims to provide a continuous presence to deter a return of the “galamsey” operators.
The Minister added that the operation would also protect Ghana’s vital water bodies. “All our rivers will also be under permanent military protection,” he emphasized.
The government’s action comes amid a renewed push from civil society groups. The FixTheCountry Movement has announced plans for a vigil this Sunday at Revolution Square, followed by a public march on Monday, a national holiday.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the group’s convenor, said the demonstrations are meant to highlight what he calls an urgent environmental crisis. “With the devastation from galamsey worsening, we must act collectively to save Ghana’s environment. Protecting nature is both a moral and spiritual duty,” he declared.
Barker-Vormawor also stressed that the fight against illegal mining is beyond party politics. “Our duty to end galamsey does not begin when our party is in opposition or end when our party is in power. This is beyond petty politics,” he said.
The group, which has previously accused successive governments of political interference in the anti-galamsey fight, hopes to channel public anger into effective civic action.
The announced protests follow a three-day demonstration staged by the movement in October 2024 to protest what they called the government’s lack of seriousness in tackling the galamsey menace.
The new government strategy and the planned protests signal a heightened national focus on a crisis that continues to plague Ghana.