The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has issued a passionate appeal to illegal miners, urging them to immediately cease their activities in forest reserves and adhere to legal mining regulations.

In a Facebook post dated March 10, 2025, Dr. Boamah emphatically called on illegal miners to “In the Name of God and Ghana, Stop Galamsey!”

He stressed that no human being resides in the forest reserves, and therefore, miners have no justification for their activities in these protected areas.

The Defence Minister cautioned that the government will not tolerate illegal mining, also known as galamsey, which has been a major cause of environmental destruction, deforestation, and water pollution in Ghana.

“A word to the wise is enough! Stop galamsey! If you're interested in mining, seek the necessary regulatory permits.

We will not talk much,” he warned.

His statement comes amid increased government efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations, which continue to threaten Ghana’s natural resources, water bodies, and ecosystems.

Dr. Boamah’s comments reflect the government’s renewed commitment to eradicating illegal mining, which has seen the deployment of security forces, including the military’s Operation Halt II, to dismantle illegal mining sites across the country.

With growing concerns over the impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and water supply, authorities are expected to intensify their crackdown on illegal mining activities in the coming months.