Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed, has issued a strong directive to security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, with full force and without fear or favour.

Speaking at the 17th Regional Commanders’ Conference in Accra on Friday, the Minister called on the security services to arrest anyone obstructing anti-galamsey operations, regardless of their political affiliations or claims to authority.

“I will not send you into the forest only to call back and ask you to exempt someone. That will never come from me,” Mr. Muntaka stressed, making it clear that he would not shield anyone involved in the illegal practice.

He specifically charged the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and officers of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to act decisively against any form of interference in the ongoing enforcement efforts.

“If anybody calls you to say I have asked that you should let go of this operation, please ensure that you arrest that person,” the Minister firmly stated.