Security consultant Col. Festus Aboagye has revealed alarming allegations of human trafficking occurring within some Galamsey camps, where women are reportedly sold into prostitution.
Speaking on ABC Midday News on October 9, 2024, he emphasized the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to combat these crimes, advocating for the involvement of not only the Ghana Armed Forces but also Social Welfare entities to address the plight of these vulnerable women.
Col. Aboagye highlighted that many of these women are trafficked from neighboring countries, underscoring the dire situation at these camps.
He stressed the importance of deploying specialized teams to rescue these women, process their cases, and facilitate their repatriation to their countries of origin.
“You need the department of social welfare to come in,” he stated, advocating for comprehensive measures to protect and restore the dignity of those affected by trafficking.
In his critique of the government’s renewed anti-galamsey efforts, Col. Aboagye expressed skepticism about the clarity and effectiveness of the military deployment announced by the Ministry of Information.
He called for clearer guidelines on the rules of engagement to ensure the safety of all involved, stating, “We need clarity of the rules of engagement, so we don’t shoot to kill.”
His comments reflect growing concern over the government’s approach and the potential for confusion on the ground during operations.
With public sentiment shifting and organized labor threatening a nationwide strike over the government’s handling of illegal mining, the stakes are high.
Unions are demanding the repeal of LI 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, and a temporary ban on small-scale mining.
