Operation Halt Intensified: Akufo-Addo Unleashes Additional Troops on Galamsey
Akufo-Addo has instructed the Defence Minister to strengthen military operations in illegal mining zones
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ordered Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul to deploy additional military forces to tackle the illegal mining crisis known as galamsey.
This deployment will enhance the ongoing ‘Operation Halt,’ aimed at curbing illicit mining activities across the country.
According to a press release from the Presidency, naval boats will also be dispatched to polluted rivers to ensure the immediate halt of all mining operations—both legal and illegal—around these water bodies.
In addition to these measures, the President has directed the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to immediately suspend the enforcement of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462).
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of unity in the fight against galamsey and expressed his commitment to reversing the environmental damage caused by illegal mining. Following a meeting with the leadership of Organised Labour, he outlined several key actions to address the issue:
Increased Military Presence: Additional troops will support ‘Operation Halt’ and work alongside naval forces to protect vulnerable river ecosystems.
Suspension of Forest Mining Regulations: Enforcement of specific regulations will be halted to streamline the government’s response.
Enhanced Legal Action: Four dedicated courts for illegal mining cases have been established, with plans to increase their number to ensure stricter prosecutions.
National Pact Initiative: The government is urging Organised Labour to facilitate a commitment from all presidential candidates to fight illegal mining as part of their electoral pledges.
In light of these initiatives, the government has requested that Organised Labour postpone its planned strike action on October 10, 2024, and collaborate in the efforts to eradicate galamsey.
The statement from the Presidency said President Akufo-Addo remains steadfast in his mission to eliminate illegal mining and calls on all citizens and leaders to join in this critical national effort.
