Operation Halt: Akufo-Addo orders military reinforcement in galamsey hotspots as strike is called off
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military forces to reinforce “Operation Halt,” the government’s initiative to tackle illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
This heightened military effort will focus on areas near water bodies and forest reserves, where the environmental impact has been most severe.
The directive, issued in response to growing demands from Organised Labour for decisive action, aims to strengthen the fight against galamsey, particularly in “red zones” where mining—legal or illegal—is strictly prohibited. As part of the enhanced operation, naval boats will be deployed on polluted river bodies to enforce an immediate cessation of all mining activities.
A press release from the Presidency on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and restoring public confidence in its efforts to halt environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.
In light of these developments, Organised Labour has decided to suspend its planned nationwide strike, initially scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024. The decision was made after an emergency meeting in which union leaders noted the government’s stepped-up measures to combat galamsey, including ramping up the military-led Operational Halt initiative.
Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, explained that Labour would now monitor the government’s actions to ensure meaningful progress is made in addressing the illegal mining crisis.
