The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says it is not considering a “shoot to kill” directive in the fight against illegal mining, despite a recent rise in violent attacks on security officers and other individuals involved in anti-galamsey operations.
According to Media Relations Officer at the Ministry, Paa Kwasi Schandorf, although some illegal miners have become increasingly aggressive, the proposal to authorize lethal force is not part of the ministry’s strategy.
Speaking on Metro TV and monitored by NewsDesksGH on November 20, he explained that they receive calls to consider this approach.
“Given the fact that now even some of the illegal miners are proving to be very combative and confrontational and looking at the fact that we appear to be losing precious souls to illegal mining, the conversation has now become ‘then why don’t you shoot to kill them,’ but shooting to kill also has its own implications.”
Mr. Schandorf stressed that apart from legal concerns, such a directive could create more challenges.
“Apart from the legalities surrounding it, you’re careful not to venture into the creation of more problems,” he said.
He made it clear that the Ministry is not considering such an approach.
“Indeed it is not on the table of the minister. It’s not something that we’re considering now at all,” he said.
He further stated that the government’s current interventions are already yielding results.
“The measures that we’re rolling now, they’re giving us results so it’s not something we want to honestly turn to,” he said.
He added that adopting such a policy could worsen the situation rather than resolve it.
“I think if we were to embrace it right now maybe it may muddy the waters.”
These remarks come amid renewed concerns over the galamsey menace and its associated violence, which continues to pose environmental and security threats across mining communities and the country.
