Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, is urging officers of the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces to renew their commitment to combating illegal mining activities in Ghana, particularly in the Western Region.
The region’s environment is under severe threat, with illegal miners destroying roads, forests, and water bodies without regard for the long-term consequences on Ghanaians’ survival.
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Minister Nelson emphasized that the current state of affairs is unacceptable, highlighting the need for collective action to protect the region’s natural resources.
As the Western Regional Minister, he is committed to supporting the Ghana Armed Forces in their efforts to curb illegal mining and restore the environment. “Regardless of who is involved in this enterprise, ours is to do something about it, so that our lives will be better.”
The Minister said “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 appealed to the men in uniform to rededicate themselves to this course without fear or favour
He said the entire nation is at risk of losing its sustenance to few greedy elements milking the country through destruction and devastation of the environment to enrich themselves “All of us are at risk” he said.
“As a lead institution, I call on you to rededicate yourselves to this course. Let’s us wage the war together and deal with the challenges of illegal mining.”
On the actions and in actions of the illegal miners, in corrupting the system to sustain their operations Joseph Nelson pointed out that “these are people who have money”
Nonetheless, the Minister who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) said the officers who would be deployed to the battlefield in confrontation of the illegal mining activities must endeavour 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, he said they should rather think about Ghana and Ghanaians “Love for the state, love for our own lives” he remarked.
Under the circumstance he said Ghanaians would be looking up to the military in decisively waging the war against illegal mining and winning the war “We will be relying on you and your command” Joseph Nelson emphasised.
Explaining the dangers associated with the canker, the Minister noted “In their quest to make money, they are putting the lives of the rest of us at risk.”
He observed that the struggle that Ghana Water Company goes through in processing water, should be a wakeup call for all Ghanaians.
He said his commitment was high and that he expected same from the 2BN unit “No long speeches, it affects you, it affects everybody.”
As public servants, the Minister said Ghanaians expect them to perform to the expectation of all “Ghana expects us to do our best”
As Chairman of the Regional Security Council, he again reminded the soldiers of what is required of them all “We are here for service. I’m here for service. You are here for service.”
He added “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 that, he noted “If we are able to do that, this country will be better for it.”
For the current state of Ghana’s mining areas and the repercussions of illegal mining activities on the environment, he declared the obvious position being held by majority of Ghanaians, “It is so alarming.”
In terms of the next level of action against the canker, he warned “This time, it must be done with some renewed commitment ”
The impact of the environmental destruction and its attendant effect on unborn generations, he said couldn’t be quantified.
But, once the country regains the environment through concerted effort, he said ” All of us will be celebrated for defeating the menace.”
