Withdraw Operation Vanguard task force - Group demands

A group calling itself Finders Forum Ghana is calling on the Akufo-Addo’s government and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to withdraw the Operation Vanguard Task Force and allow small scale miners, media, police and local government authorities take charge in the fight against galamsey.

According to the group, the move will pave way for the military to register its vengeance on the citizenry alleged to be engaged in illegal mining operations.

Finders Forum Ghana expressed fear that alleged killing of galamseyers in mining sites will increase if the Task force is not withdrawn.

‘Take a look at the recent happenings where the task force burnt the machines and tools of the galamseyers if they retaliated, the outcome would have been disastrous,’ a statement signed by the Executive Director of Finders Forum Ghana Osman Rahim Hassan said.

“WITHDRAW VANGUARD TASK FORCE-ALLOW SMALL SCALE MINERS AND MEDIA WITH SUPPORT FROM THE POLICE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES TO TAKE CHARGE”

It has become an established knowledge of the military registering a vengeance on the citizenry alleged to be engaged in illegal mining operations. It is surprising how the task force received a backlash from numerous security experts and civil society organisations about the composition which never got the attention of government.

Government, headed by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwaa Akufo-Addo should command a withdrawal of the Vanguard task force and allow the Small Scale Miners and Media with Police Support to take Charge as the alleged killing of the galamseyers in mining sites continue to increase and put the security of the state at risk. Take a look at the recent happenings where the task force burnt the machines and tools of the galamseyers if they retaliated, the outcome would have been disastrous.

We note with consent a period of time where the citizenry in the illegal mining sites might respond with a vigour strength of fighting back and putting a “civil unrest” as they feel unsafe.

It is of absolute relevance to note properly the number of people in the illegal mining operations. Our findings reveal a number of One Million -Five hundred and Six Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight. (1,506,568) Such a huge figure can not be underestimated and must not be taken lightly.

Government through the minister responsible for the mining sector should with greater interest withdraw the Vanguard task force and allow the initially adopted methodology take charge with support from the police.

Failure on the part of government to make changes in respect of the task force could plunge an open defence from the alleged “galamseyers”. Thank you.

Signed

Osman Rahim Hassan

Executive director Finders Forum Ghana.