The Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (ACSIS) Ghana, Paul Cudjoe Boateng, has stated that the formation of various anti-galamsey operations such as Operation Vanguard, Galamstop, and Blue Water Guards will amount to nothing more than a waste of national resources.
Speaking on the sidelines of the attack on NAIMOS operatives at Ahafo Hwediem on Saturday, November 1, 2025, Mr. Boateng argued that the only effective measure to curb illegal mining and the destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies is to legislate and hand over all forest and water reserves to the Ghana Armed Forces.
> “Once these reserves become the property of the military, anyone who attempts to encroach will be dealt with decisively. This will demonstrate the government’s true political will to end illegal mining,” he said.
According to him, continuous launches of various task forces will not achieve results as long as political interference persists.
> “If the political influence remains, it will be very difficult for the security forces to stop the canker,” he noted.
Mr. Boateng cited a recent incident involving the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, who allegedly interfered with the operations of NAIMOS at Ahafo Hwediem. He described this as a clear example of how political involvement undermines the fight against illegal mining.
> “It appears that what will make the fight against galamsey successful does not interest some politicians, simply because of their selfish interests,” he stressed.
Mr. Boateng reiterated that until the government shows genuine political will and eliminates political interference, efforts to end illegal mining will continue to fail despite the deployment of various task forces.
Srory : Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku