Dr. Jamal Tonzua, former Assistant Director of Legal Services for the Ghana Armed Forces, has heavily criticized the government’s approach to the illegal small-scale mining crisis, commonly known as galamsey. He labeled the issue as a governance failure, pointing to a lack of political will and institutional weaknesses. According to Dr. Tonzua, political leaders have manipulated the military, setting it up to fail in addressing a problem that requires well-researched, transformative policies.
Drawing parallels with other politically influenced conflicts, such as the long-standing Bawku inter-ethnic crisis, Dr. Tonzua remarked, “Regrettably, the political leaders are misleading and encouraging the military to use brute and lethal force in internal security operations, in a manner that is inconsistent with fundamental human rights and established military procedures including the rules of engagement and the use of force.”
His statement follows recent developments under the government’s “Operation Halt” initiative, where military forces were deployed to destroy illegal mining equipment, including 18 chanfans, 10 industrial water pumping machines, and one excavator across various sites. Despite these efforts, Dr. Tonzua criticized the strategy, advocating for comprehensive policy reforms instead of military force.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently ordered the Minister for Defence to increase military forces to intensify the anti-galamsey campaign. However, Dr. Tonzua believes that the military should not succumb to political manipulation. He argued, “Instead of yielding to undue political manipulation, the military needs to address urgent issues such as the high attrition rate of officers and soldiers, especially pilots and medical doctors.”
In a broader statement, Dr. Tonzua called for the Ghana Armed Forces to uphold its honor code, which teaches trainee officers not to “lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do so.” He emphasized the military’s responsibility to safeguard the country’s welfare and reputation. “Given the importance of a professional military in our democracy, especially in this polarized and politically charged moment, the Military High Command must resist undue political manipulations, redeem the sinking image of the institution, and focus on enhancing the welfare of its personnel.”
He concluded by urging a national conversation on the role of the military in Ghana’s democracy, advocating for the liberation of the military from political interference and a renewed focus on professionalism, combat readiness, and improving the welfare of its personnel.
Dr. Tonzua’s statement serves as a call for a strategic shift in how the military is utilized in national security matters, particularly the galamsey crisis.
Source:dailymailgh.com