Security and governance concerns over illegal mining have taken a sharper turn, as retired army captain, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, is urging government to deploy a stronger, military-led response to halt the growing crisis.
Speaking at an IEA town hall seminar in Accra, he insisted that deploying military personnel alongside politicians undermines operational effectiveness.
He stressed that the situation requires independent, professional, and disciplined security tactics to achieve lasting results.
“This is what will destroy this nation; mark my words. We currently have people operating deep within our forest reserves, armed with equipment that will not be easy to contain. They are destroying our natural resources for a few dollars; short-term gain at a devastating long-term cost.
“I have said it before, and I will say it again: government cannot deny that this problem requires decisive action. No group, apart from the military, has the capacity to deal with it effectively. When the military is given a clear order, they execute it to the letter.
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“Instead, we formed a joint task force; bringing together police, military, and political actors. I warned from the beginning that it would not work. And today, the evidence is clear; it is not working.
We’ve even heard from within. A Lieutenant Colonel who served on that committee has openly admitted that, given the current situation, only the military can handle this crisis.
“Mr. President, you have the authority to act. If you issue a firm directive that no one is to operate in our forest reserves, the military can enforce it swiftly and decisively. Deploy just one battalion, and they will clear those areas.
“How they carry out that directive is an operational detail. What matters is the political will to act; before irreversible damage is done.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
