The Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Appeatu, has said the Police administration cannot fail Ghanaians in the fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
Speaking at a ceremony marking the deployment of a joint military-police taskforce led by Col William Agyapong to mining areas as a step further in the fight against the illicit mining, Mr Asante-Apeatu said: “The effects of this menace is very disturbing, the effects are very debilitating and we have all witnessed the massive environmental destruction, reckless pollution, avoidable deaths and most recently the growing tendency of violence, which is inherent in this illegal activity.
“Our task is to enforce the laws, we are to get the deviants who disregard our mining and environmental regulations brought to justice, our duty is to ensure the laws that preserve the sanctity of our environment are respected and adhered to. In doing, so we will be guided by the highest standard of professionalism and respect for human rights as well as the freedoms of our citizens.”
He added: “Officers and men deployed, the entire citizens of this country look up to you to save the nation from the associated evils of illegal mining. As your commanders, we are looking up to you to deliver on the mandate entrusted onto us by the people of this country. We cannot fail our people, we cannot fail our generation and we must not fail the generation to come.
“At this point in time, let me assure the government and the people of Ghana that the police administration has faith in its officers and men deploying, the police administration has faith in its joint efforts with the military targeted to save our environment from further degradation.”
The taskforce is made up of over four hundred military and police officers and they are expected to operate from the various mining communities across the country.
Some of the commanders of the taskforce include Chief Superintendent of Police Abraham Acquaye, Major Mintah Agyeman, Major Ronney Agbemafle, Major Prince Landom, and WO1 Akufo.
Source:Ghana/AccraFM.com
