President John Mahama has directed the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals impersonating members of Ghana’s anti-galamsey taskforce and extorting money from licensed small-scale miners.

The President issued the directive during his Thank You tour of the Western North Region on Tuesday, July 15, where he expressed alarm over the scale of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities in areas such as Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi Anhwiaso.

“We are alarmed by the environmental destruction that is reported across Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi Anhwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. I must be honest, this is a national emergency,” President Mahama said.

He assured the public that the National Anti-Galamsey TaskForce would intensify its operations to combat illegal mining in forest reserves and water bodies.

However, he condemned the emergence of unauthorised groups posing as taskforce operatives, accusing them of undermining the national fight against illegal mining by targeting legitimate miners.

“I’ve also noted the activities of illegal anti-galamsey taskforces that go around extorting money from legitimate small-scale mining companies,” President Mahama stated.

“I’ve requested that the authorities arrest and prosecute any individuals involved in this illegal anti-galamsey activity.”

To strengthen security in the region, the President announced the establishment of a forward operating base of the Ghana Armed Forces in Ponikrom in the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal District of the Western North Region.

He said this move was in response to calls by traditional leaders to bolster protection against both galamsey-related activities and transborder crime.

“We are establishing a forward operating base of the Ghana Armed Forces in Ponikrom, as requested by nananom, to respond swiftly to security threats and border-related crimes. Peace is a precondition for development,” he added.