The Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has described the directive by President John Dramani Mahama to allow the military to maintain a permanent presence in recently reclaimed forest reserves as a step in the right direction.
She stated that maintaining a military presence in these forest reserves is crucial, stressing that illegal miners are environmental terrorists who must be dealt with ruthlessly.
President Mahama announced that the government would permit the military to maintain a permanent presence in forest reserves recently reclaimed from illegal miners to ensure operators do not return to the sites. According to the President, the decision stems from past experiences where illegal miners swiftly reoccupied forest reserves immediately after military task forces concluded their operations and withdrew.
He confirmed that all nine forest reserves previously designated as red zones—owing to severe environmental degradation and the presence of heavily armed illegal miners—have now been fully cleared, with troops stationed on the ground to safeguard the areas.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Awula Serwah expressed support for the measure. She noted that clearing environmental terrorists and placing soldiers at vantage points to deter their return is a positive move, provided the troops remain vigilant.
”I think it is a step in the right direction. If we are really able to clear the environmental terrorists and then we have soldiers at vantage points so that if they try to return, they would be dealt with, I think it is a step in the right direction.”
She underscored the need for military personnel and forestry guards to be well-resourced and well-motivated to conduct their duties without compromise.
She added that officers must be provided with bulletproof vests and necessary logistics to deal effectively with armed illegal miners while putting robust systems in place to prevent corruption.
Awula Serwah advised the government to strictly monitor troops and immediately replace any officer found to have been compromised.
”Everyone should be well-motivated. The forestry guards who are putting their lives at risk should be well-motivated. But the point is that we have to put systems in place.”
She maintained that illegal miners cannot operate when military personnel are stationed in the reserves, emphasizing that moving forward, leadership requires strong political will to rid the country of the canker of illegal mining.
Lamenting the severe impact of illegal mining on human health, the environment, and national security, she stressed that if politically exposed persons financing illegal mining are arrested and prosecuted without political interference, the kingpins behind the trade will be brought to justice.
”Moving forward, one needs to have the political will to rid this country of the canker of illegal mining.”
Awula Serwah also called for the active involvement of traditional leaders, urging them not to entertain illegal mining within their jurisdictions.
She noted that local action by chiefs is critical to winning the fight, pointing out that areas plagued by illegal mining often involve collusion among local chiefs, police officers, and politically exposed persons.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
