A group of heavily armed men wearing masks has reportedly blocked and prevented the government’s Galamsey Operation Taskforce from accessing the Offin Forest Reserve. The incident, which took place in the Manso Nkran and Ampraprama Forest Reserves, has sparked fear and outrage among Ghanaians, with many calling on President John Dramani Mahama to take urgent action.
Eyewitnesses say the masked men, who appeared physically intimidating, were seen wielding pump-action guns, assault rifles, and large amounts of ammunition. They stood their ground, ensuring that the taskforce could not carry out its operation against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
“If you watch the pictures, you can see that these men are huge in body and heavily armed with weapons, wearing masks,” a local resident said, describing the terrifying encounter.
The boldness of these armed men has raised concerns about security lapses and the growing influence of illegal miners who are willing to resist law enforcement with force. Some fear that if swift action is not taken, the situation could escalate into a more dangerous security crisis.
A concerned Ghanaian shared their thoughts on the issue, warning about the potential risks of allowing illegal armed groups to grow in strength.
“Hmm, I will not say let’s pray. Instead, the government must up their game before these galamsey guys are bought and trained by ISIS and Boko Haram. They will supply them with powerful weapons. We need to be careful, Charley.”
The situation has led to mounting pressure on the government and security forces to reinforce the Galamsey Taskforce with more military personnel. Many believe that deploying a stronger security presence in the affected areas will be the only way to curb the rising power of these illegal armed groups.
Illegal mining has long been a major issue in Ghana, leading to environmental degradation, water pollution, and deforestation. The government’s crackdown on galamsey has been met with resistance, but the recent show of force by these masked men suggests that illegal mining syndicates are becoming more organized and dangerous.
As the nation watches closely, all eyes are on the government’s next move. Will President Mahama respond with force, or will these heavily armed men continue to control access to Ghana’s forest reserves?
