{"id":77824,"date":"2025-07-21T12:32:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T12:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=77824"},"modified":"2025-07-21T12:32:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T12:32:00","slug":"theres-political-will-to-fight-galamsey-defence-minister-assures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=77824","title":{"rendered":"There\u2019s political will to fight galamsey \u2013 Defence Minister assures"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>1 Minute, 52 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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The Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to ending illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, stating that strong political will is driving the fight.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series press briefing at Jubilee House, Dr Boamah highlighted the key role the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are playing in the nationwide anti-galamsey campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not out of the woods yet as a nation, but there is hope because there is political will at the very top,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ghana Armed Forces have played significant roles in the fight against illegal mining.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Strategy and Reforms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr Boamah disclosed that the government had undertaken a comprehensive review of its anti-illegal mining strategy, resulting in key reforms aimed at making the fight more coordinated and sustainable.<\/p>\n

A major outcome of this review is the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, tasked with overseeing and streamlining all government interventions against galamsey.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Secretariat is a product of that review exercise,\u201d Dr Boamah explained. \u201cIt ensures we are not only reactive, but also proactive and structured in our operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forest Reserves Reclaimed<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Defence Minister praised the Ghana Armed Forces for leading efforts to reclaim several forest reserves that were previously out of reach for forest guards due to the activities of illegal miners.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe recovery of several forest reserves, which our forest guards could not even venture into, was led by the Ghana Armed Forces,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Navy\u2019s Support in Operation Halt II<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr Boamah also cited the role of the Ghana Navy in Operation Halt II, a joint operation aimed at halting illegal mining activities along the River Ankobra in the Western and Western North Regions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Operation Halt II, the Navy supported land forces to combat illegal mining along the River Ankobra, which had suffered from years of pollution due to mining,\u201d he explained.
Environmental Protection a National Priority<\/p>\n

Dr Boamah reiterated the government\u2019s unwavering stance on protecting the environment, declaring that the fight against galamsey remains a national security and development priority.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur stance is unwavering. We see this as a critical issue for sustainable development and for safeguarding our natural resources for future generations,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n