The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to publications in a section of the media, to the effect that the military is to be blamed or held responsible for any failures in the fight against illegal mining.
These publications attribute this comment to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, during his Press Update on the fight against illegal mining at the Ministry of Information on Thursday, October 13, 2022.
While the Ministry welcomes and commends the Ghanaian media for their interest and enthusiasm in matters involving illegal mining, for the avoidance of doubt, the Minister did NOT say the military is to be blamed or held responsible for any failures in the fight against illegal mining.
What the Minister said was to the effect that the military has been put fully in charge of the operations on the ground.
Accordingly, they are to carry out their mission without interference from any person whatsoever. They are to take instructions only from the military high command on matters relating to the ongoing operations, and in accordance with their established command and control structures.
The above comments have, obviously, been misunderstood by a section of the media. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has absolute confidence in the professionalism, capability and integrity of the Ghana Armed Forces to accomplish this mission.
ISSUED BY: THE PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
