The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says that it has monitored with deep concern, a misleading report and excerpt from a documentary aired on Joy News on 26 September 2022, alleging that Soldiers are providing security for mining firms in forest reserves.
GAF has stated that in a video with some recycled content of past unsubstantiated allegations which have since gone viral, Mentiahene of Bekwai, Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre, alleged that military personnel are providing security for an illegal mining firm operating in the Kobro Forest in Amansie Central.
GAF has however stated categorically that there are no military personnel deployed for such activities and no Soldier is providing security for any mining company in any forest reserve in any part of the country.
GAF has further disclosed that following reports of the presence of some security persons in uniform within the Aprampramah Forest and Kobro Forest Reserve stretch in Amansie Central, a patrol team from 4 Infantry Battalion and the Central Command Headquarters in Kumasi, conducted an operation in the general area on 28 September 2022.
“The military patrol team picked up some individuals dressed in US military-pattern camouflage uniforms working for a private security firm, which has been contracted by a registered small-scale mining company named ‘Elvis and Co Mining Ltd’. These private security guards should not be misconstrued as GAF personnel because their camouflage pattern uniforms are even totally distinct from GAF.
GAF stated that in respect of the unauthorised use of military pattern uniforms by private security firms and individuals, it would be recalled that a few months back personnel of the 4 Infantry Battalion rounded up some members of a District Assembly Taskforce wearing different shades of military camouflage uniforms, captured in a viral video manhandling some civilians in the Kwabre South District.
“Considering that they were dressed in military pattern camouflage uniforms, they were wrongly perceived to be GAF personnel thereby drawing GAF into disrepute. Aside this, GAF has also picked up several impersonators in recent times and handed them over to the Police for prosecution,” GAF stated.
This was contained in a press release dated 30th September, 2022. It was signed by Naval Captain M. A. LARBI, Director, Public Relations.
GAF reiterated that in the same vein it does not condone any such acts of personnel engaging in illegal and unauthorised activities especially illegal mining. It assured the public that it will not shield any Soldier engaged in any illegal, unauthorised or criminal activity either in military uniform or not.
“It must be specifically placed on record that in the fight against illegal mining, GAF is at the forefront and remains resolute and will therefore not countenance any conduct that will derail the progress being made. Accordingly, GAF has revamped Operation Halt II in order to intensify its surgical operations to curb the destruction of the forest reserves and pollution of the river bodies,” the statement said.
It noted that the recent reports of the numerous arrests made, excavators seized and immobilized, and other equipment destroyed, attests to this renewed and sustained effort.
“The Ghana Armed Forces, therefore, wishes to once again refute the allegations made and to state that its personnel is not providing security for any mining firm in any forest reserve. However, it is prudent that the media and other stakeholders verify claims to ensure accurate information is published.
“GAF, therefore, wishes to urge Joy News and other media partners that its doors are open for the necessary clarifications to be made to ensure a balanced reportage at all times. GAF will continue to count on the support of all Ghanaians especially the media and major stakeholders, in curbing the illegal mining in our forest reserves and water bodies and also in clamp down on the use of military pattern uniforms by private security guards and other unauthorized persons,” the statement concluded.
