Arrest anyone obstructing anti-galamsey operations – Muntaka to Security Agencies
In a bid to reinforce the government’s crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Mr Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed, has issued a stern directive to the security services: arrest anyone who attempts to obstruct anti-galamsey operations, regardless of their political connections or claimed authority.
Addressing senior officers at the 17th Regional Commanders’ Conference held in Accra on Friday, Mr Muntaka left no room for ambiguity.
He told the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and officials of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that anyone interfering in the operations should be treated as a suspect, even if they invoke his name.
“If anybody calls you to say I have asked that you should let go of this operation, please ensure that you arrest that person,” he declared.
He continued, “If someone calls and claims to be me, let the CID take action and arrest that person.”
Mr Muntaka’s comments come amid rising concerns about the influence of powerful individuals who often try to shield illegal mining activities under the cover of political patronage.
“I will not send you into the forest only to call back and ask you to exempt someone. That will never come from me,” he emphasised, distancing himself from any future attempts to interfere in enforcement operations.
