W/R minister urges military to rededicate themselves to Galamsey fight

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has appealed to officers of the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to rededicate themselves to the fight against illegal mining activities in the country, particularly in the Western region.

The environment, he indicated, was seriously under siege as a result of illegal mining, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’, to the extent that illegal miners could take over roads, forest cover and water bodies to destroy them without recourse to the very survival of Ghanaians.

This, he noted, was unacceptable.
“Regardless of who is involved in this enterprise, ours is to do something about it so that our lives will be better,” Minister Joe Nelson told the military.
The minister went on to indicate that, “To think that our very survival as a people is under threat, we have to act.”

Addressing the soldiers at a short ceremony organised by the 2BN Command to brief him about their presence, operations and challenges, the minister reiterated his call to the men in uniform to rededicate themselves to this course, without fear or favour.

He said the entire nation was at risk of losing the country to a few greedy elements milking the country through destruction and devastation of the environment to enrich themselves quickly adding, “All of us are at risk. As a lead institution, I call on you to rededicate yourselves to this course. Let us wage the war together and deal with the challenges of illegal mining,” he said.

Regional Minister Nelson, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), however, admonished that officers who would be deployed to the battle-field to fight the illegal mining activities and must endeavor to live above reproach and avoid being influenced by monetary considerations.
“If you are called to duty, apply discipline. Don’t allow your love for money to sway you. Discipline will be much needed here.

“Instead of thinking about monetary considerations, you should rather think about Ghana and Ghanaians love for the state, and love for your own lives,” he remarked.
Ghanaians, he indicated, were looking up to the military to decisively wage the war against illegal mining and win the war.

“We will be relying on you and your command,” Joseph Nelson emphasised.
Explaining the dangers associated with the illegal mining menace, the minister noted, “In their quest to make money, they are putting the lives of the rest of us at risk,” reminding the officers of the struggle, for instance, the Ghana Water Company had to go through in processing water, which should be a wake-up call for all Ghanaians.

Minister Nelson told the officers that his commitment to fighting the menace as a minister was high and the same was expected from the 2BN unit.
As Public Servants, the minister said Ghanaians expected them to perform to the expectation of all Ghanaians in the fight.

“We are here for service. I am here for service. You are here for service,” adding, “The reward for good service, if I may emphasise, is great. As you serve in this office, you are indirectly serving humanity because it is service to mankind.”

Aside from that, he noted, “If we are able to do that, this country will be better for it.”

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