Appoint general with martial law powers to deal with galamsey — Retired military officers
Two retired military officers, Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe and Joseph Nunoo Mensah, have asked President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a top army general with martial law powers to deal with the menace of illegal mining, stamp it out completely and save the country's water bodies.
They argued that what is currently happening is scratching the surface of the problem and not offering a permanent solution.
The retired officers, a former Ghana Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, Captain (Rtd) Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe and twice Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Nunoo Mensah shared their personal experiences on the theme: "Reflections of the past for the future: Senior voices guiding Ghana's youth to make informed life choices."
According to Brig Gen. Nunoo Mensah, "we lack courage and conviction to solve the problem."
He said the current mix of the Military, the police service and politicians would not help because they could easily be influenced.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said the military should be tasked with the responsibility under a top military general and "with just one battalion, they will definitely clear them out."
The two said that if, as a country, Ghana was not able to deal with the situation now, it would come back to haunt and destroy the country.
"People in the reserve forest have equipment that will be difficult to destroy, and it will take only the military to do it," he said.
Youth
The two military officers also challenged Ghanaian youth not to allow peer pressure and social media trends to determine their future.
Rather, they urged the youth to build a life hinged on discipline and integrity by putting Ghana first.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, a former chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), told the gathering that challenges in life were not signs of walking on the wrong path, but rather they were signs of growth.
"You have the advantages of technology and exposure.
This is the time to leverage them.
"Do not ignore the past, study it. If you fail to learn from history, you may repeat the same mistakes.
"Before making any decision in life, make sure it aligns with your beliefs and convictions," he said.
For his part, Brig Gen. Nunoo Mensah said: "Pursue excellence.
Do not aim to be an average person, aim to stand out.”
The two retired officers zeroed in on discipline and integrity because, according to them, there was nothing like "quick success".
After all, it was not sustainable.
They said there was always some kind of misconception among the youth about success, that it was smooth and predictable.
"There's nothing like that. Life can be as unpredictable as the weather.
"Your name and reputation are more valuable than any title or position," they advised the youth.
