Audio By Carbonatix
The Director, Faculty of Academic Affairs at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Professor Emmanuel Kwesi Aning has alluded to a link between vigilantism, national security and illegal mining activities.
He indicated that members of the supposedly disbanded group now find themselves in law enforcement among many other illegal activities.
Speaking in an interview on PM: Express on JoyNews Monday May 17, Prof Aning said, “Vigilante groups are now franchising the skill set that they have into law enforcement, mining, cattle rustling, logging of rosewood and taxing agricultural goods particularly charcoal.
According to him, Ghana is “seeing the beginnings of a hydra-headed monster that we need to elevate to the level of an existential threat to the state”.
His assertion is supported by the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator's account of the attack on him by 7 operatives of the national security ministry.
DCOP Opare Addo had stated that 4 out of the 7 men who attacked him in his office with the buttstock of an AK-47 rifle were known members of the allegedly disbanded vigilante group - Delta Force.
There have also been reports that some illegal small-scale miners have hired the services of these vigilante groups to provide security at their concessions.
A JoyNews' documentary also revealed that some military men offer their services to galamsey operators.
Meanwhile, the second phase of Operation Halt, instituted by government to deal with the galamsey menace, has come to an end.
According to the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, a total of 28 excavators, 267 changfans with platforms, 18 water pumping machines and a milling machine were destroyed during the exercise.
The operation, which was aimed at clearing galamsey operators and equipment involved in mining on the Pra River and its tributaries, including the Ofin River, has been described by government as successful after covering some 120 kilometres.
The third phase of the operation is expected to be launched in other parts of the country soon.
Latest Stories
-
Gunfire silences prosperity as PLO Lumumba warns of ‘bleeding’ African continent
16 minutes -
African Leaders must shift from speeches to action – P.L.O Lumumba
46 minutes -
Ace Ankomah demands radical overhaul of Ghana’s science and innovation sector
56 minutes -
Trump signs executive order threatening tariffs for countries trading with Iran
1 hour -
From Hollywood to the homeland: Why African countries are courting black American stars
2 hours -
Ambulance service slams ‘taxi transfer’ of newborn as viral negligence claims debunked
2 hours -
High stakes in Ayawaso East as NDC delegates head to the polls today
2 hours -
Youth unemployment is the biggest threat to Africa – Gabby
3 hours -
Minority demands urgent Finance Minister summons as ‘Agbogbloshie’ prices ignite parliamentary clash
4 hours -
Baba Jamal’s highest will be 38% in Ayawaso East NDC primary – Mussa Dankwah
4 hours -
Stranded beans and staggering debts: Ghana’s cocoa sector faces systemic crisis
4 hours -
Chief Justice sets up special courts for corruption and galamsey
5 hours -
Airport renaming and inflation trends to take centre stage on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight this Saturday
6 hours -
Ghana losing long-term investment capital over absence of Limited Partnerships Law – GVCA CEO
6 hours -
Experts to dissect airport renaming, economic trajectory and Dr Bawumia’s victory on Newsfile this Saturday
6 hours