The Interior Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately reassign all police commanders stationed in mining regions.
The directive is part of a broader strategy to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. During a meeting with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asawase Member of Parliament explained that the changes were necessary due to the failure of long-serving commanders in these areas to effectively address the issue.
“I’ve given the IGP the order to transfer all police commanders in mining areas and replace them with new officers. Any regional, divisional, or district commander currently in a mining zone will be reassigned immediately,” Muntaka said.
He further emphasized that new commanders would be placed on a three-month probation period. If they do not demonstrate satisfactory results, they too would be transferred. “We will continue making changes until we see meaningful progress,” he added.
Muntaka reassured his commitment to the policy despite significant pressure on the IGP to reconsider. Under the new arrangement, the reassigned commanders will be sent to areas without mining activities, while their replacements will be closely monitored during their probation period.
