“Ghana Armed Forces becoming useless day by day” – Okatakyie Afrifa lashes out over galamsey menace

Ace broadcaster and the morning show host of Angel FM and TV, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has issued a scathing critique of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), accusing the military of failing in its duty to combat the ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis. Speaking in a fiery radio interview on Friday, Afrifa expressed his frustration over what he described as the military’s growing ineffectiveness in addressing the rampant environmental destruction caused by galamsey operations.

“The Ghana Armed Forces is becoming useless day by day. How can they sit and watch while our lands and water bodies are being destroyed by galamsey operators? What is their purpose if they can’t defend our country from this menace?” Afrifa stated.

His comments come in the wake of increasing public concern about the government’s inability to fully tackle illegal mining, despite several initiatives aimed at curbing the practice. In recent years, the Ghana Armed Forces has been heavily involved in anti-galamsey operations, including the deployment of military personnel under the “Operation Vanguard” and “Operation Halt” task forces. These efforts, however, have been criticized for yielding limited results.

Afrifa suggested that the military’s involvement has done little to deter illegal miners, many of whom are alleged to have political connections or bribe their way out of legal consequences. He questioned the integrity of some soldiers deployed to stop illegal mining, accusing them of being complicit in the activities they were sent to prevent.

“We’ve heard too many stories of soldiers being bribed by galamsey operators, and it’s clear that some of them are benefiting from these illegal activities. If this continues, what is left of the military’s credibility?” Afrifa added.

His remarks have reignited the debate about the effectiveness of the Armed Forces in national security matters beyond defense, especially in areas such as environmental protection. Critics have argued that the military’s role in tackling galamsey has been compromised by corruption, weak enforcement, and inadequate supervision.

Afrifa also emphasized the broader implications of the military’s perceived ineffectiveness. He warned that if the Ghana Armed Forces fails to maintain order in tackling illegal mining, it could lead to the collapse of public trust in the military institution as a whole.

“Our soldiers are supposed to protect us from enemies, but now, it seems like our own internal enemies—the illegal miners—are winning. If this trend continues, Ghanaians will lose faith in the Armed Forces. We cannot allow that to happen,” Afrifa cautioned.

Many environmental activists and civil society groups have echoed Afrifa’s concerns, urging the government to reform its approach to fighting galamsey. They argue that without a more comprehensive and corruption-free strategy, involving multiple stakeholders beyond the military, the battle against illegal mining will remain an uphill one.

In response to the growing criticism, the Ministry of Defense has defended the role of the military in combating galamsey, stating that the Ghana Armed Forces continues to play a crucial part in national efforts to protect the environment. A spokesperson from the ministry acknowledged the challenges but maintained that the military’s involvement remains vital in the fight against illegal mining.

“The Armed Forces are working tirelessly to combat galamsey, but we recognize that more needs to be done. We are committed to improving oversight and ensuring that any form of corruption is rooted out from our ranks,” the spokesperson said.

As the debate over the military’s effectiveness intensifies, many Ghanaians are looking for decisive action to end the galamsey menace. With vast portions of the country’s forests and water bodies at risk of permanent damage, the pressure on the government, security agencies, and local communities to find lasting solutions continues to mount.

Afrifa ended his remarks with a call for accountability: “The future of Ghana is at stake. If our soldiers cannot rise to the occasion and protect our environment, then we need to ask ourselves what role they are playing. We can’t afford to lose this battle to galamsey.”

AMN | Anochie’s Report | Accra.