Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has announced a nationwide operation to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, in a bid to address the growing security threat it poses to communities and forest reserves.
Speaking at the Regional Command Conference at the Police Headquarters on Friday, March 21, 2025, IGP Yohuno underscored the urgent need for law enforcement to clamp down on galamsey activities, especially in areas where armed criminals have terrorized civilians and forest guards.
“Illegal mining poses a security risk, particularly in our forest reserves and mining communities. In regions like the Western North and many others, armed criminals have carried out brutal attacks on innocent people, including forest guards, without justification,” he stated.
The IGP described the situation as a national security emergency and vowed that the police would take decisive action against perpetrators.
“This lawlessness must not be allowed to continue. We are declaring war on crimes related to illegal mining, and I expect every regional commander to take decisive action to bring perpetrators to justice,” he declared.
The nationwide operation is expected to involve enhanced intelligence gathering, targeted raids, and collaboration with other security agencies to dismantle illegal mining networks.
The announcement follows increasing concerns over the environmental destruction and violent conflicts associated with galamsey, with the government under pressure to enforce stricter measures to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
