President Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister of Defence to send more troops to strengthen ‘Operation Halt’, the government’s initiative aimed at combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
This enhanced operation will target regions near water bodies and forest reserves that have been heavily affected by illegal mining activities.
This decision comes in response to increasing pressure from organised labour, which threatened a nationwide strike unless the government took stronger action against galamsey.
Organised labour is demanding immediate action to halt all forms of illegal mining to protect Ghana’s environment from further degradation.
In a press release on October 9, 2024, the Presidency announced that the enhanced operation would involve deploying naval boats to patrol polluted rivers.
The military will enforce a strict ban on all mining activities, both legal and illegal—in designated areas.
This initiative aims to ensure an immediate end to activities that are damaging the country’s natural resources. The additional military forces will focus on protecting water bodies and forest reserves nationwide.
The government stressed that no mining activities would be permitted in “red zones” and vowed to take decisive action against those who violate this directive.
“The President has directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military forces to intensify the ongoing “Operation Halt”, which aims to curb illegal mining activities.
“The operation will be bolstered by the deployment of naval boats on polluted river bodies to ensure the immediate cessation of all mining activities, legal or illegal, in and around these water bodies.”