The Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Obed Boamah Akwa has revealed that efforts are being made to attach legal officers to the Order of Battle (OBAT) to help the Police to prosecute illegal miners. He was speaking on Thursday, 29th March, 2018 at a familiarization visit to the personnel of Operation Vanguard at their base in Obuasi.
Addressing the personnel of the joint Military and Police taskforce, Lieutenant General Akwa praised the personnel for exhibiting high level of professionalism and dedication to duty but cautioned them of the enormity of the task ahead hence the need to redouble their efforts to achieve their aim.
On his assessment of his tour so far, the Chief of Defense Staff said” people are still using excavators, ‘chamfans’ whiles the course of river bodies have been diverted which can lead to flooding and major catastrophe if not addressed” adding that there should be no place for complacency in their bid to clump down on illegal miners.
Lieutenant General Boamah assured the personnel that measures have been taken at the Government level to address their concerns especially in the area of transportation and advised them to be mindful of their personal security and the security of the items they confiscate from illegal miners which he said would be tendered in as evidence during prosecution.
The Operation Vanguard Taskforce which is headquartered in Obuasi was launched by the President His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo in July, 2017 to clump down on the menace of illegal mining in the country.
The Chief of Defense Staff was accompanied by the Commander of Operation Vanguard Colonel Michael Amoah Ayisi, the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, Hon. Elijah Adansi Bonah, Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom and the Municipal Coordinating Director for Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Mr. Justice Amoah.