Two hundred police officers have been commissioned to provide security for large-scale mining companies’ concessions across the country.
The officers, deployed on Wednesday (5 May), underwent a 10-day redeployment training programme, from 24 April to 5 May, at the Ghana Police Command and Staff College at Winneba in the Central Region.
George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister-designate of Lands and Natural Resources, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the sector minister, said the deployment formed part of the government’s determination to build a viable and sustainable mining industry to mutually benefit the State and the investment community.
He also commended the five-member committee, inaugurated by the sector minister to oversee the provision of security for the mines, and urged them to continue their good works to ensure sustainable mining practices.
Superintendent Henry Ayisi Mensah, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, admonished the officers to exhibit professionalism at all levels and not to condone illegalities.
Sulemana Koney, the chief executive officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, expressed the Chamber’s appreciation to the government for agreeing to provide security for mining companies.
Koney called for a permanent police unit for the mining sector as the mining companies and communities continue to struggle with robberies and life-threatening crimes.
He added, “There are encroachments that translate into explosive magazines and all of that. Sometimes, they even go to the gold room where they really go to steal gold. This is pure theft! So, it’s a major issue if you don’t have the requisite security apparatus to deal with such challenges,”
He said the mining industry continued to be a major contributor to the national economy and assured of the Chamber’s commitment to providing the necessary support and cooperation to the team on the field.
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