The Minister for the Interior, Mr Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed, has directed the Ghana Police Service to arrest anyone who attempts to interfere with anti-galamsey operations, including individuals claiming to act on his behalf.

Speaking at the 17th Regional Commanders’ Conference in Accra on Friday, Mr Muntaka delivered a firm message to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

“If anybody calls you to say I have asked that you should let go of this operation, please ensure that you arrest that person,” Mr Muntaka stated. “If someone calls and claims to be me, let the CID take action and arrest that person.”

He made it clear that no individual, including government officials or political figures, should be considered above the law in the fight against illegal mining.

“I will not send you into the forest only to call back and ask you to exempt someone. That will never come from me,” he emphasised.

Mr Muntaka also commended Mr Yohuno and his command team for what he described as their consistent efforts against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He said the practice continues to pose a serious threat to the environment and national stability.

The Minister added that both the government and the leadership of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) fully support the police in their crackdown on illegal mining.

“The President is behind you. Deal with anyone involved in galamsey strictly within the limits of the law,” Mr Muntaka assured.

As part of measures to clamp down on the activity, Mr Muntaka announced that all mining equipment must be registered by July 31, 2025.

He explained that this directive follows the seizure of over 130 excavators, many of which had no identifiable owners.

“We must remove this heavy machinery from our forests. If we succeed in that alone, even if people still enter mining sites, the scale of destruction will be reduced,” he noted.

Mr Muntaka urged the police not to tolerate interference from political actors, including members of the ruling party.

“The party leadership has made it clear that they support what you are doing. They will not allow a few individuals to damage the image of the party,” he said.

Illegal mining continues to affect several regions across the country, particularly in the Western, Ashanti, Eastern and Central regions, where rivers, farmlands and ecosystems have suffered long-term damage.