Former Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has proposed a more radical approach to the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

The MP for Bolgatanga East constituency suggested that a "shoot on sight" policy would be more beneficial to the government's efforts in combating the menace.

His comments come as the fight against illegal mining intensifies, with the devastation to Ghana’s forest reserves continuing to be a significant concern.

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, Dr. Ayine explained that drones equipped with assault capabilities could be deployed to target individuals found engaging in illegal mining activities near water bodies.

"I have been discussing with a brother of mine... he has been proposing radically that we should actually send drones with either bullets or bombs with heat detection technology so that if we detect human activity in that area, they should just fire."

"If that is what will save us from this environmental genocide, I will support it," he added.

• Read also: Galamsey fight: 'Shoot-to-kill approach' could affect innocent people – Dr Mensa-Bonsu

Meanwhile, Associate Professor and Head of Ashesi Law, Dr Mensa-Bonsu is not in support of this tactic.

She believes it could end up claiming the lives of innocent people who were not perpetrating the said crime.

“And drones are not people. They can’t say that’s a person we think it’s okay and that’s a person we think it’s not. So they will end up killing a lot of people in the process,” she warned.