Environmental conservation organization, AROCHA Ghana, is demanding the removal of police heads in galamsey-prone areas for their failure to tackle the canker.
AROCHA is making the call in collaboration with other environmental NGOs to oust the Eastern South Police Commander, DCOP George Boadi Bossman, and the Divisional Police Commander of Kyebi, ACP Reynolds Sam, in the Eastern Region over their alleged failure to curb the canker also known as ‘galamsey’.
During a press briefing in Accra Friday, March 07, 2025, Deputy National Director of AROCHA, Daryl Bosu, asked that the two commanders be removed for sleeping on the job.
The group has argued that despite efforts to curb the practice, turbidity of water bodies in the area continue to be worse due to the officers’ inability to deal with perpetrators of the act.
“The failure to effectively enforce laws against illegal mining in parts of the Eastern Region is a clear indication of poor leadership and complicity by both the Divisional and Eastern South commands, located in Kyebi. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have struggled without success to stop the pollution of River Danso, River Birim, and other streams in the region.
“We are therefore calling for more proactive law enforcement and effective leadership. We demand the replacement of Eastern South Police Commander DCOP George Boadi Bossman and ACP Reynolds Sam with dedicated officers who will prioritise the enforcement of mineral and mining regulations and halt the escalating impunity,” Bosu indicated.
The group is also seeking the replacement of the Executive Director of the Minerals Commission, citing his failure to effectively combat illegal mining.
“The current leader of the Minerals Commission has failed to ensure responsible mining practices that safeguard the environment across the country.
“We call on the government to, as a matter of urgency, replace the Executive Director of the Minerals Commission with a visionary leader who will usher in a new era of responsible mining,” he added.
