Retired military officers urge Mahama to appoint army general with martial law powers to deal with galamsey
Two retired senior military officers, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe and Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo Mensah, have urged President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a top army general with sweeping authority to decisively tackle illegal mining and protect the country’s water bodies.
They argued that current interventions are only addressing the surface of the problem and fall short of delivering a lasting solution to the growing menace.
The two officers made the call while sharing their perspectives at an event held under the theme “Reflections of the past for the future Senior voices guiding Ghana’s youth to make informed life choices.”
Brig Gen Nunoo Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff, expressed concern about what he described as a lack of courage and conviction in addressing illegal mining. He maintained that the existing collaboration between the military, police and political actors may be ineffective due to potential external influence.
Dr Nyaho Tamakloe, a former Ghana Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, also stressed the need for a more decisive military-led approach. He suggested that placing the responsibility under a top military general with adequate authority could yield swift results.
“With just one battalion, they will definitely clear them out,” he said, adding that the scale of equipment used in forest reserves makes it difficult to eliminate the activities without direct military intervention.
Both officers warned that failure to address the situation urgently could have devastating consequences for the country in the future.
Youth Urged to Embrace Discipline and Integrity
Beyond the issue of illegal mining, the retired officers also advised Ghanaian youth to resist negative influences and focus on building disciplined and principled lives.
They cautioned against allowing peer pressure and social media trends to shape life decisions, urging young people instead to prioritise integrity and national interest.
Dr Nyaho Tamakloe encouraged the youth to view challenges as part of personal growth rather than signs of failure. He urged them to take advantage of technology and exposure while learning from history to avoid repeating past mistakes.
“Before making any decision in life, make sure it aligns with your beliefs and convictions,” he said.
Brig Gen Nunoo Mensah also challenged young people to strive for excellence rather than mediocrity.
“Pursue excellence. Do not aim to be an average person, aim to stand out,” he advised.
The two emphasised that success requires patience, discipline and consistency, warning that the idea of quick success is often misleading and unsustainable.
They concluded by reminding the youth that reputation and character are more valuable than titles or positions, urging them to uphold integrity in all aspects of life.