Former Senior Presidential Aide and Head of Policy Evaluation and Oversight under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has called for the government to significantly strengthen its security operations against illegal mining (galamsey).
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 FM in an interview hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu, Dr. Aidoo described the level of destruction caused by galamsey activities as a direct threat to the state. He argued that current operational teams are insufficient for the scale of resistance shown by illegal miners.
According to him, the government must reinforce the NAIMOS task force with a full military platoon capable of confronting groups operating deep within forest reserves and river bodies. He said the youth involved in illegal mining are increasingly attempting to re-enter protected forests, despite ongoing security operations.
“The devastation of our river bodies and environment demands more than the small numbers currently deployed,” he stated. “Government must augment NAIMOS with a platoon strong enough to flush out these individuals who are resisting the state’s efforts.”
Dr. Aidoo disagreed with the current strategy of deploying smaller teams of operatives and insisted that a larger, more permanent security presence is required at galamsey sites to prevent miners from regrouping.
Confidence in 2026 Economic Policy
Commenting on the government’s 2026 economic policy and budget, Dr. Aidoo expressed optimism that the country is on a path of recovery after what he described as years of severe economic mismanagement.
He noted improvements in fiscal discipline, expenditure control, and prioritization of key sectors, stating that these measures signal “a fresh air of good leadership.”
While the budget is still undergoing review by various parliamentary committees, Dr. Aidoo argued that the government is demonstrating a strong commitment to stabilizing inflation, strengthening the cedi, and enforcing financial discipline.
Although he criticized the previous administration’s economic stewardship and alleged misuse of public funds, these remain his personal claims and have not been independently verified. He expressed confidence that continued adherence to sound financial policy will lead to broad national development in the coming years.