GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
As part of the efforts to intensify the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), the Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has ordered the immediate transfer of all regional, divisional, and district police commanders serving in mining areas across Ghana.
This directive, issued to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), is intended to replace officers who have served lengthy terms in these regions without effectively addressing illegal mining operations. The minister believes that longstanding postings have contributed to the persistence of the galamsey menace.
Speaking during an engagement with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, Alhaji Muntaka emphasized that the reshuffle is a critical part of new measures to enhance law enforcement efforts in mining areas.
“I have ordered the IGP to transfer all police commanders in all mining areas and send in new ones. So if you are a regional, divisional, or district police commander serving in mining areas, you will be changed with immediate effect,” he announced.
Under the policy, the reassigned officers will be posted to non-mining areas, while their replacements will be given a three-month probation period to prove their effectiveness. Commanders who fail to produce results in curbing illegal mining will also be replaced.
“We will keep making changes till we see results,” the Minister stated, reaffirming his resolve to implement the directive despite reported pressure on the IGP to reconsider the move.
This decision marks a significant step by the government to protect the nation’s environment and water bodies from the destructive effects of illegal mining, a challenge that has persisted despite numerous interventions.
