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‘If we don’t take care, we’ll lose galamsey fight again’ – Deputy Interior Minister

Deputy Interior Minister Ebenezer Terlarbi has warned that Ghana risks losing the battle against illegal mining, also known as galamsey, if pragmatic and innovative steps are not taken, particularly in dealing with foreign nationals involved in the practice.

Speaking in a media interview, he defended the Interior Ministry’s recent directive to the Inspector General of Police to transfer all regional, divisional, and district commanders in mining zones, stating that the decision was necessary but should be accompanied by broader reforms for effective implementation.

“In fact, if we don’t take care, we are going to lose this fight again,” he stated in a candid assessment of the government’s own approach. “The situation on hand—we cannot do things the same way and think we’ll have different results. We need to be a little innovative.”

The directive, issued by Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, has sparked both support and criticism. It includes the controversial decision to deport foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining, rather than prosecuting them in Ghana’s courts.

Mr. Terlarbi acknowledged the debate surrounding the policy but insisted it was driven by practical constraints.

“We know when it comes to litigation in this country, dealing with our courts, it can sometimes be very frustrating,” he said. “We have instances where people are arrested, and we prefer repatriating them rather than taking them through our courts.”

He elaborated on the complexities of foreign involvement in galamsey, explaining that arrested foreigners often complicate the legal process. “They tell you ‘Take me to court.’ They have lawyers, which is their right. But then they also claim they don’t have passports, and their identities become difficult to establish. Once they get into the system, it’s difficult to track them.”

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