Environmental advocate and Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has applauded recent police command reshuffles as a significant and promising step in the fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
According to him, the move by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) signals a renewed commitment from law enforcement to address a long-standing challenge that has persisted with impunity.
Speaking on Midday News with Beatrice Adu on 3FM on April 22, Bosu expressed cautious optimism about the changes being made within the police hierarchy, stating that reshuffling commanders could inject “new ideas” and “new strategies” into the fight against galamsey.
He noted that for too long, communities have been left without effective enforcement, even as illegal mining activities devastated local ecosystems and livelihoods.
He further revealed that his organization had previously recommended the replacement of specific officers, including DCOP George Bwedi Bosman of the Eastern South Police Command and ACP Raynald Pham in the Shebi area, though they have yet to be affected by the reshuffles. He, however, expressed hope that these officers will be considered in subsequent phases.
While acknowledging the IGP’s commitment to the cause, Bosu emphasized that structural reforms alone will not suffice. He called for the deployment of police intelligence services and the CID to strengthen enforcement efforts, particularly in identifying and dismantling the financial networks behind galamsey operations.
“I think the intelligence services within the police should also be deployed. The CID and all of that should be working on the ground,” he said, adding that intelligence-led operations can yield critical information to go after the “big wigs” financing the illegal mining activities.
Bosu stated that the Minister’s recent press conference, which was informed by ground-level intelligence, is an example of how such coordination can lead to meaningful outcomes. He urged the government to fully implement provisions in Act 995 and the Minerals and Mining Amendment Act by combining decisive leadership with strategic intelligence support.
“We need to complement the leadership with very strong intelligence services on the ground,” he stressed, “to ensure that the complementary action can lead to really giving the police some good information for them to act upon.”
As attention turns to the effectiveness of these reshuffles, Bosu’s remarks echo a growing call for accountability, transparency, and results in the national campaign against illegal mining.
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