The management of the Ghana Police Service, led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, is expected to announce a mass transfer of commanders in mining districts across the country.
This move aligns with the government’s commitment to enforcing the national campaign against illegal mining, which has been linked to water pollution and environmental degradation.
According to top police management sources to www.kumasimail.com, some police commanders are allegedly aiding illegal mining activities by leaking operational plans to illegal miners, allowing them to evade arrest whenever national security operatives and other security agencies plan enforcement operations.
The police administration believes that this decision supports the national anti-galamsey agenda and is, therefore, necessary.
Another source disclosed that since Hon. Muntaka Mohammed became the Interior Minister, he directed law enforcement agencies to repatriate and blacklist all foreigners involved in illegal mining. The police administration, in collaboration with the Immigration Service and other security agencies, has made significant progress in repatriating these individuals. “As I speak to you now, a significant number of foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, have been deported. Some of them were also involved in other illegal activities, including crime,” the source stated.
However, the police administration has observed a worrying trend where some commanders in mining areas deliberately fail to document the arrests of foreigners involved in illegal mining, allowing them to escape deportation in exchange for large sums of money.
The source further revealed that the IGP is committed to supporting the government in combating illegal mining.
As a result, commanders identified as being complicit in these activities will soon be transferred and will not be assigned to any mining district due to their past records.
He added, “The administration will soon invite some commanders for a service inquiry regarding their alleged role in aiding illegal mining by covering up for arrested illegal miners and failing to send them to headquarters for repatriation”.
The source warned that any senior officer who fails to provide a satisfactory response during the inquiry could face strict sanctions, including demotion to a junior rank.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
