Operation Vanguard killing two birds with one stone

The 400-member military and police task force commissioned to fight illegal mining in various parts of the country seem to be achieving more than what it set out to do.

Their presence alone in some of the communities hit by illegal mining has brought some form of stability, residents say.

Joy News’ Latiff Iddrisu is on a tour with Lands and Defence Ministers in these communities and reports that residents are impressed with the rate at which crime rates have declined.

In Wawase, a town in the Obuasi East constituency, a resident told Latiff the presence of Operation Vanguard is working magic.

“When they were not here things were bad, but ever since they came, things have been peaceful. All those guys who were stealing and doing the bad things are no longer here”.

In August, the combined team of military and police personnel tasked with the aim of stamping out illegal mining activities in the country was inaugurated.

The deployment of the 400-strong personnel is part of President Nana Akufo-Addo's heightened resolve to end the menace in the country after a ban on small scale mining failed to deter the miners.

Some members of the Operation Vanguard team

The team has made some significant strides in dealing with the illegal mining with many arrests, but this recent revelation by the residents is particularly interesting.

It has been just a month since their deployment to the community and residents, especially those in Obuasi are impressed.

“Our town is stable now. We can see that the theft that has been going on in the community has reduced,” a resident told Latiff.

Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr Boakye Yiadom said the presence of Operation Vanguard in the community is satisfying.

“Because not only are they helping in curbing the galamsey menace, but have also ensured that security in Obuasi is tightened.”

On the fight against illegal mining, the MP said great successes are being chalked.

Dr Yiadom said “per my own assessment, we are on course and this is sending a strong signal to our people that the government and the president is committed to fighting illegal mining which is destroying our environment and polluting our river bodies.”

 

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