Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has disclosed a new government strategy aimed at stepping up the fight against illegal mining or galamsey.
This newest action follows when several groups have called for the state of emergency to be declared and in the context of the concern about the destruction of the natural resources of the country.
The President John Dramani Mahama, however, said that there is no need to declare a state of emergency now, an action which has been roundly condemned.
During an interview on Channel One TV, Tuesday, September 16, Kwakye Ofosu revealed the new scheme that will guarantee the long-term deployment of the military in any area where illicit mining is a problem.
"All the 44 sites that are under galamsey threat, there will be a permanent military presence," he revealed.
He clarified that the new plan will have security personnel stationed for a long time, in contrast to the traditional approach of conducting short missions and leaving galamsey operations behind.
"Evidently, before they would go and chase the actors who were engaging in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have constant military presence," he added.
The Minister added that the strategy would be also extended to the nation's waterways.
"All the rivers we have will be with permanent military presence," he added.
