Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has expressed the need for the independence of the Ghana Armed Forces in executing its mandate in the fight against galamsey.

According to him, the military must be held responsible for either the success or the failure of the fight against galamsey. He revealed that it has been made “abundantly clear” that the Ministry and other stakeholders are responsible for formulating the policies relating to mining and the military must execute it.

“But when it comes to the implementation of the enforcement regime or the enforcement mechanism by the Ghana Armed Forces, they are supposed to do so independent of the Ministry and of any other entity; Chiefs, religious leaders, influential people, journalists, Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, political leaders. Military people are not supposed to take any instruction from anybody. I’ve never done that anyway, even in the past, but I’m saying no interference whatsoever.”
Samuel Abdulai Jinapor

Mr Jinapor indicated that the Military has been furnished with the full list of all licensed small scale mining concessions and would be effecting the arrest of all those who do not appear on the list but are engaged in mining activities. He explained that the records of licensed small-scale miners will enable them distinguish between licensed and unlicensed, operators.

“And the good thing about it is that the military now will be accountable and responsible for the law enforcement results for this particular effort and of this particular phase. So, if it doesn’t go well they have to be held responsible. Because we have provided them with what they need and the framework, and the contours of the policy. So, they are now to implement it on the instructions of the President.”
Samuel Abdulai Jinapor

Fight against illegal mining

Mr Jinapor iterated that the personnel are expected to perform their duties without any interference from chiefs, political figures or even his ministry except their commanders. Additionally, he highlighted that the personnel will be responsible and accountable to the Minister of Defence and ultimately the Ghanaian people.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources admitted that the fight against illegal small scale mining is tough. However, he noted that the government will not relent in its efforts in fighting the menace to protect the environment.

“It is going to be a tough fight but the Ghanaian people should be rest assured that we are fully committed to this fight and we are never going to relent in our efforts. I am very confident that if all of us work together in good faith, we take out partisan politics out of it and see this as a national canker or national issue as it truly is, and pull our weight together, we definitely will be able to protect our environment and protect our country, protect our forest, protect our land scape, protect our water bodies for ourselves and our children and future generations.”
Samuel Abdulai Jinapor