Police and other security Commanders stationed at areas affected by illegal mining (galamsey) are to be re-assigned soon.
“I have directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yehuno to promptly reassign all regional, divisional, and district police commanders stationed in areas affected by illegal mining, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, emphasized.
Addressing a gathering of Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, as part of his official visit to the Ashanti region, he said the directive aimed to relocate officers, who have been present in mining regions and districts for prolonged periods, without significantly impacting the reduction of illegal mining activities in their areas.
This measure, according to him, was part of a comprehensive government strategy to intensify the crackdown on galamsey and ensure effective law enforcement in the fight against the menace.
As per the new policy, affected commanders will be transferred to regions where mining activities are absent, while their replacements will undergo a probationary period of three months. Alhaji Muntaka reiterated his dedication to enforcing the directive despite the pressure on the IGP to reconsider the decision.
“I have instructed the IGP to reassign all police commanders stationed in mining areas and appoint new officers in their place. Any new commander who does not exhibit results within three months will also be reassigned. We will persist in adjusting until we achieve the desired impact,” he declared.
The directive underscores the government’s renewed commitment to bolstering law enforcement efforts against illegal mining, a practice that continues to jeopardize Ghana’s environment and water resources.
Source: GNA
