President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military forces to bolster “Operation Halt,” the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, also known as galamsey, particularly in areas surrounding water bodies and forest reserves.
The move, announced in a press statement on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, comes amid growing pressure from organised labour, which had called for an immediate halt to galamsey operations and threatened to strike if swift action was not taken.
As part of the strengthened measures, naval boats will be deployed to patrol polluted rivers, enforcing a complete stop to all mining activities, whether legal or illegal.
This escalation is intended to prevent further environmental destruction and protect Ghana’s vital natural resources, which have been severely impacted by illegal mining.
“The President has directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military forces to intensify the ongoing ‘Operation Halt,’” the statement read. “The operation will be bolstered by the deployment of naval boats on polluted river bodies to ensure the immediate cessation of all mining activities in and around these water bodies.”
The government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding water bodies and forest reserves, emphasising that no mining would be permitted in designated “red zones.” The deployment is expected to restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling the *galamsey* crisis, which has caused widespread pollution and ecosystem damage.
President Akufo-Addo called on all Ghanaians, political leaders, and stakeholders to support the national effort to combat illegal mining, stressing the need for a united front to end the devastation and protect the environment for future generations.
