The Jungle Warfare School, in collaboration with the French Embassy, has inaugurated a three-week training programme aimed at combating illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

The course is being held at Seth Anthony Barracks in Akim Achiase, Eastern Region.

In a post on Facebook on Wednesday, January 21, the Ghana Armed Forces reported that Brigadier General Joshua Amanor, Commander of the Army Training Command (ATRAC), expressed appreciation to the French Armed Forces for supporting the initiative and working with Ghana to safeguard the country’s natural resources.

Brigadier General Amanor urged participants to engage fully with the training. “Take the training seriously, ask questions to clear your mind; this is the best environment for this kind of instruction,” he said.

Colonel Gregoire Madelin, the French Defence Attaché, also conveyed his gratitude to Ghana’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Williams Agyapong, and the Military High Command for permitting the programme to be conducted in the jungle, which he described as ideal for operational readiness.

The anti-illegal mining programme involves 35 Ghana Armed Forces personnel, including three officers, and is being led by a team of 15 French instructors.

The training is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and protect Ghana’s natural resources from illegal exploitation.