Security Consultant, Richard Kumadoe, has argued that the Ghana Armed Forces have the capacity to end the menace of illegal mining (galamsey), but political interference continues to cripple the fight.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Mr. Kumadoe said the military could resolve the challenge “in no time” if given a free hand, but politicians often issue contradictory instructions that weaken operations.
“We as law enforcement officers see politicians and civilians as people who want to play hide and seek. If you leave this operation in the hands of the military, they would have dealt with it in no time. However, you create a psychological problem for them when you ask them to go to the place, and you are the same person holding their hands,” he said.
He added that since the military is a government agency, it is obliged to act under civilian control, but this has led to situations where officers must obey directives “against their will and conscience.”
Mr. Kumadoe stressed that until political interests are removed from the fight against galamsey, the country will struggle to make meaningful progress despite having well-trained security agencies.
War against galamsey not structured — Security Consultant