Galamsey fight intensifies: military deployed, 18 changfans and ten water pumps destroyed

The government has ramped up its efforts to fight illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, with the deployment of military personnel to key forest reserves and major waterways in Ghana.

In a decisive sweep, the military task force led by Colonel Eric Tenadu, commander of the “Operation Halt” task force, burned 18 changfans (excavation machines) and ten industrial water pumping machines that were being used for illegal mining on the River Birim in the Atiwa East and West Districts.

“We are here to put an end to illegal mining activities that continue to destroy our water bodies and forest reserves,” Colonel Tenadu declared at a press briefing.

“The military will remain in the area for the next two weeks to ensure that this first phase of the exercise is completed successfully.”

The colonel expressed optimism that the operation will be effective, adding that the new phase of the operation will not only protect water bodies but also restore ecosystems devastated by galamsey.

This latest crackdown forms part of the government’s broader strategy to eliminate illegal mining, which has polluted rivers and destroyed vast areas of forest reserve across Ghana.

The fight

Illegal mining has long been a grave environmental and socio-economic challenge in Ghana, leading to the degradation of critical water sources, including the Rivers Birim, Pra and Offin.

Previous efforts to halt galamsey have faced challenges because of the pervasive involvement of powerful actors and local backers, but the government remains steadfast in its determination to eradicate galamsey.

The deployment of military personnel in such areas as Atiwa is in line with a broader strategy outlined by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the environment from further destruction through galamsey.

The “Operation Halt” task force is expected to extend its activities to other regions in the coming weeks, with the military playing a pivotal role in dismantling the structures used by illegal miners.

Earlier, President Akufo-Addo restated his government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal mining following mounting concern from organised labour.

In a press release issued by Eugene Arhin, the director of communications at Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo outlined a raft of decisive measures aimed at curbing galamsey.

Responding to a call from organised labour on 7 October 2024 for an immediate cessation of all illegal mining near waterways and forest reserves, President Akufo-Addo promptly engaged union leaders at a high-level meeting on 8 October.

In a letter dated 9 October, the president addressed their concerns and detailed the steps his government would take.

The president announced that more military personnel would be deployed to combat illegal mining under “Operation Halt”. He further instructed the Minister of Defence to intensify such efforts to prevent all illegal mining.

“The operation will be bolstered by the deployment of naval boats on polluted river bodies to ensure the immediate cessation of all mining activities, legal or illegal, in and around these water bodies,” the statement from the Office of the President said.

Suspension of mining in forest reserves

To further demonstrate his government’s resolve, President Akufo-Addo directed the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to suspend enforcement of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations 2023 (LI 2462) with immediate effect.

This suspension is a crucial step in protecting Ghana’s forests from further destruction through illegal mining.

In line with enhancing legal actions against offenders, the president disclosed that four specialised courts had already been established to prosecute cases of illegal mining.

President Akufo-Addo also directed the Attorney General to collaborate with the Chief Justice to increase the number of courts handling such cases.

National pact on illegal mining

In a landmark appeal, the president urged all political parties and presidential candidates to sign a national pact committing to the fight against illegal mining.

“The government has urged organised labour to encourage all presidential candidates and their political parties to sign a pact, committing themselves to the fight against illegal mining as part of their election pledges,” the statement from Jubilee House said.

President Akufo-Addo also called on organised labour to reconsider its decision to hold a nationwide indefinite strike, which was scheduled to start on Thursday (10 October 2024).

He called for collaborative efforts between organised labour, the government and other stakeholders to ensure Ghana fights galamsey effectively.

The president reaffirmed his commitment to tackling illegal mining and urged all Ghanaians and interest groups to unite in the fight to protect Ghana’s natural resources.

“President Akufo-Addo remains determined to end illegal mining and calls on all citizens, political leaders and stakeholders to unite in this critical national effort,” the statement from the presidency added.

On 9 October, organised labour called off its planned strike.