Some Ghanaian military personnel are protecting foreign illegal miners and aiding them to carry out their activities without authorization, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu has said.
He accused sections of the Ghana Armed Forces of providing cover for foreign galamsey operators including people from Russia, Ukraine and China in some areas of the country badly affected by illegal mining.
Speaking on Citi News, The Minister revealed the military command has without authorization, deployed personnel to protect galamsey operators in parts of the Ashanti region.
Mr. Amewu who is touring the region called for an immediate probe into the phenomenon to bring the culprits to justice.
"The Soldiers especially are protecting miners illegally as my outfit has under no circumstances signed any contract with the military to protect the miners. The Minerals Commission has also proven beyond all reasonable doubt that they have not established any contract with those Military,"he stated.
"Whoever authorized the military must be brought to book. Until the law enforcement agencies begin to take this issues serious, I do not think we are.
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