Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed, has instructed security agencies to arrest anyone who attempts to interfere with anti-galamsey operations, regardless of their political influence or connections.
Speaking at the 17th Regional Commanders’ Conference in Accra on Friday, Mr Muntaka delivered a firm message to the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and senior officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
“If anybody calls you to say I have asked that you should let go of this operation, please ensure that you arrest that person,” he said.
He added that even if someone impersonates him in an attempt to halt an operation, they should be treated as a suspect.
“If someone calls and claims to be me, let the CID take action and arrest that person,” he instructed.
The minister’s comments come amid mounting concern over the role of politically connected individuals in protecting illegal mining operations—commonly referred to as galamsey—which have been blamed for severe environmental degradation across parts of the country.
“I will not send you into the forest only to call back and ask you to exempt someone. That will never come from me,” Mr Muntaka stressed, seeking to distance himself from any potential future interference in law enforcement actions.
The government has intensified its efforts to curb illegal mining, deploying joint military and police task forces to mining hotspots. However, the crackdown has often been complicated by allegations of political interference and community resistance.
Mr Muntaka’s directive signals a tougher stance by the Interior Ministry as the government seeks to assert greater control over natural resource protection and environmental governance.
