In a statement issued by Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar on Wednesday, 9 October, the government revealed that the initiative will now involve expanded operations led by the Ghana Armed Forces, working in conjunction with the Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana.
Abubakar stressed that "river bodies and forest reserves remain red zones" where mining activities are strictly prohibited, reiterating the government's determination to halt the environmental damage caused by galamsey.
The minister's statement reflects the increasing urgency to protect Ghana's natural resources from the destructive impact of illegal mining, which has severely polluted the country's water bodies.
The announcement comes at a time when various groups, particularly Organised Labour, have intensified calls for the repeal of LI 2462, a legislative instrument that permits gold prospecting in forest reserves.