Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Obed Akwa has charged some new security personnel assigned to the Operation Vanguard not to compromise in the fight against galamsey by siding with illegal small-scale miners.
Some reports have accused the Operation Vanguard team of allegedly conniving with some officers within the Ghana Police Service to extort money from illegal miners.
The task force was formed by the government to help enforce the ban on small-scale mining and clamp down on illegal mining following renewed concerns about the state of the environment.
Speaking at the Central Regional launch of Operation Vanguard at Dunkwa-On-Offin on Thursday, the Chief of Defence Staff reiterated that any person found in any act of indiscipline would be not be spared.
While noting that the discipline of the personnel he was addressing had been “excellent” so far, he stated firmly that “any act of obedience amongst you; breaking bounds, collaborating with these galamsey people will be dealt with very swiftly.
“It would be highly unpatriotic of anybody to be assigned this important role and to turn round and collaborate with the perpetrators of illegal mining,” he added.
Lt. Gen. Obed Akwa also commended Operation Vanguard for gains made in the fight against illegal mining but stressed that their mission was far from complete.
Lt. Gen. Akwa said: “I want you to bear in mind that ultimately, the measure of our success will be the transformation of the environment to its original state; that we shall see our rivers clear again, that our lands will be recovered and used for farming and other legal activities.”
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By: Joseph Ackon Mensah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
