Former Senior Presidential Aide Dr Tony Aidoo has proposed an effective solution to end illegal mining (galamsey) within months.
He was of the view that a little over 1060 deployed soldiers could crush the criminals, and the government should take this option if serious about the galamsey fight.
Speaking today, July 17, on JoyNews, Dr. Aidoo suggested a specific, time-bound military strategy to rid Ghana’s water bodies and forests of illegal miners.
“Using the military for internal security, like elections, is not advisable. The military can be used for more important things that are destroying our country,” Dr. Aidoo asserted.
He questioned the logic of diverting well-resourced military personnel from their core mandate when a grave national security threat like galamsey persists.
“We feed the soldiers, we clothe them, we put them in houses, what for? Why is illegal mining going on? Where is the military? That is what they should do,” he admonished.
Dr. Aidoo’s comments come amidst escalating public concern over the devastating environmental impact of galamsey, including the pollution of major river bodies like the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, and the destruction of vast tracts of farmlands and forest reserves.
The menace has severely affected water supply for treatment by the Ghana Water Company Limited, making it more expensive and challenging to provide potable water to urban centres.
The cost of environmental degradation due to galamsey was estimated to have surged to about 18% of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by December 2024, highlighting the immense economic toll.
Dr. Aidoo, a seasoned political analyst, revealed that his proposed strategy echoes sentiments shared by other prominent figures, including NPP founding member Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe.
“Two months ago, I said and I am happy that my opinion was echoed by Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe last week: all you need is to deploy two battalions, 1,000 men supported by two platoons of engineers’ regiments – 30, 30; 1,060 people – and you can flush all these illegal miners out of our water bodies and forests.”
He elaborated on the tactical execution of his plan: “At every spot where you clear, you leave 50 men there. Three weeks, that’s all you need. And that deployment would ensure that these people will leave our waters and forests alone. The 50 men will be deployed for three weeks; that’s all you need. And after that, the galamseyers won’t come back because they wouldn’t know that you have moved out.”
This proposed “hit-and-hold” strategy with tactical unpredictability aims to create a sustained deterrent effect.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have been periodically deployed in anti-galamsey operations, notably through initiatives like Operation Vanguard (launched in 2017) and Operation Halt (re-launched in 2021 and intensified in April 2025).
These operations have often involved the seizure and destruction of mining equipment, including excavators and changfans, particularly those operating in water bodies and forest reserves.
For instance, in April 2025, the GAF intensified operations across Northern, Central, and Southern Commands, targeting major illegal mining hubs.
However, the military’s involvement has also been fraught with challenges:
- Allegations of Corruption: There have been persistent allegations of corruption and complicity by some military personnel, with excavators seized mysteriously going missing and apprehended illegal miners often being released under suspicious circumstances. The Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, recently announced a personal donation and promotion for a soldier who refused a bribe while fighting galamsey, underscoring the battle against internal corruption.
- Political Interference: Experts and civil society groups have frequently pointed to political interference as a major hindrance to the military’s effectiveness, citing instances where political figures allegedly give orders to release apprehended illegal miners.
- Sustainability: Critics argue that military-led operations often yield temporary results, with illegal miners returning once the forces withdraw, largely due to a lack of sustained presence and a holistic approach that addresses the socio-economic drivers of galamsey. Small-scale miners’ associations have also expressed concerns that the use of military is a “failed approach” and called for community engagement instead.
The fight against galamsey was a significant electoral promise of the ruling NDC government.
President John Dramani Mahama, as recently as July 15, 2025, declared the widespread environmental devastation caused by illegal mining a “national emergency”, ordering the arrest of rogue anti-galamsey task forces involved in extortion.
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has consistently pressed the government to fulfil its anti-galamsey pledges, warning that the “very survival of the nation” is at stake.
Dr. Aidoo sternly warned the NDC government that failure to decisively act on galamsey and corruption issues risks eroding public trust.
“If the goodwill that the people of Ghana gave the NDC is going to be dissipated, it will have to be the inaction on galamsey and corruption issues.”
He emphasised the accountability inherent in electoral promises.
“If this government doesn’t stop galamsey, I will be disappointed because it was an electoral promise, and you can’t take Ghanaians for a ride.”
Dr. Aidoo’s call underscores the national consensus that illegal mining is a critical threat.
His proposed military strategy, while potentially controversial given past challenges, highlights the growing impatience for concrete, effective solutions to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources and ensure that the efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces are strategically aligned with the nation’s most pressing security and environmental needs.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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