The Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has praised the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for their pivotal role in the ongoing battle against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series press briefing at Jubilee House, Dr Boamah acknowledged the complexity of the challenge but expressed confidence in the progress being made.

“We are not out of the woods yet as a nation, but there is hope because there is political will at the very top,” he said.

“The Ghana Armed Forces have played significant roles in the fight against illegal mining.”

Dr Boamah revealed that the government had conducted a comprehensive review of its anti-illegal mining strategy, leading to reforms aimed at making the campaign more structured and effective.

One of the key outcomes of this review is the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, tasked with coordinating and sustaining government efforts to curb the destructive practice.

“This Secretariat is a product of that review exercise,” Dr Boamah explained. “It ensures we are not only reactive, but also proactive and structured in our operations.”

Forest Reserve Recovery

Dr Boamah commended the military for leading the recovery of several forest reserves earlier this year—areas where forest guards had previously feared to venture due to the entrenched activities of illegal miners.

“The recovery of several forest reserves, which our forest guards could not even venture into, was led by the Ghana Armed Forces,” he noted.

Navy’s Role in Operation Halt II

He also highlighted the contribution of the Ghana Navy in Operation Halt II, a joint military effort targeting illegal mining activities along the River Ankobra in the Western and Western North Regions.

“In 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,” Dr Boamah stated.

Sustained Commitment to the Fight

The Defence Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental protection, stressing that the fight against galamsey remains a national security priority.

“Our stance is unwavering. We see this as a critical issue for sustainable development and for safeguarding our natural resources for future generations,” he concluded.