Use military battalion to tackle galamsey – Nyaho-Tamakloe

Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a statesman has proposed a drastic shift in the government’s approach to fighting illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking to TV3 on Tuesday [October 15, 2024], he suggested that a military battalion, instead of the current company-level forces, should be deployed to effectively tackle the menace.

A military battalion consist of four to six companies and can include up to about 1,000 soldiers. 
They can conduct independent operations of limited scope and duration and are usually commanded by a lieutenant colonel. There are combat arms battalions, as well as combat support and combat service support battalions.

Commenting on some reports suggesting that illegal miners have resumed operations just four days after the military’s intervention under Operation Halt II, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe argued that deploying only a company of soldiers, fewer than 200 troops is not enough to cover the extensive areas affected by galamsey across the country.

“A company, which is less than 200 soldiers, cannot handle this operation. You need a whole battalion for that,” he stated.

He stressed that a larger military force would better prevent illegal miners from returning once soldiers leave, criticising the short-term nature of military interventions.

“If you keep on doing that for a while, they might not even return at all,” he said, advocating for a sustained military presence.

His remarks came after Operation Halt II’s efforts along the Birim River, where 13 changfan machines were burned and 10 water pumps seized. 

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe argued that the scale of the problem calls for a stronger, longer-term response. 

He believes that a battalion-level operation would block all escape routes for illegal miners and maintain security in affected areas.

He also called for the fight against illegal mining to be free from political interference, emphasising that it should be treated as a national issue.

 Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe urged the government to declare a state of emergency on all surface mining, river bodies, and forests, saying, “License or no license, we must stop all surface mining as soon as possible.”

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe’s comments come after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo asked the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to clarify its position on the galamsey issue, accusing former President John Dramani Mahama of being inconsistent in his stance. 

Speaking during a tour of the North East Region, the President said, “We need to know, Mister JM, where do you stand?”