Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to promptly reassign all police commanders currently deployed in mining regions.
The minister indicated that this directive is part of stringent measures aimed at combating illegal mining, often referred to as galamsey.
During a meeting with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asawase MP elaborated that this action seeks to replace long-serving commanders in these areas who have not successfully addressed the issue.
“I have directed the IGP to transfer all police commanders in mining regions and appoint new personnel. Therefore, if you are a regional, divisional, or district police commander in a mining area, you will be reassigned immediately.
“The newly appointed commanders will be evaluated over a three-month period, and if they do not deliver results, they too will be replaced. We will continue to implement changes until we achieve the desired outcomes,” he remarked.
Muntaka emphasized his determination to uphold this directive, despite increasing pressure on the IGP to reconsider the decision.
Under this new policy, the commanders affected will be moved to non-mining areas, while their replacements will undergo a probationary period of three months to prove their capability in addressing illegal mining, or they will face reassignment.
