Remain focused on your assigned roles - Military, Police commands tell ‘Operation Vanguard’
The Military and Police commands have advised members of ‘Operation Vanguard’, the joint police and military task force set up to deal with illegal mining, to remain focused on their assigned roles.
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They urged the task force not to be discouraged by distractions but stay committed to the government’s commitment to stop illegal mining.
This was contained in a statement issued by Major Adams Gariba Pabi, the Spokesperson for ‘Operation Vanguard,’ after the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen. O. B. Akwa, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr David Asante-Apeatu, had visited the Forward Operating Bases (FOB) of the joint task force in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions.
The visit was to afford the two the opportunity to know at firsthand how the personnel were faring, the progress made and the challenges confronting the task force.
Commendation
According to the statement, the CDS and his entourage were welcomed at the Eastern Regional FOB at Osino by the Commander of the task force, Col William Agyapong, and his deputy, Chief Superintendent Abraham Acquaye.
The delegation was briefed on ‘Operation Vanguard’s’ operations, logistics and administrative matters.
At an all-ranks durbar, it said, Lt Gen. Akwa commended members of the task force for their resilience, tenacity and bravery displayed so far which had led to a significant number of arrests and seizure of mining equipment.
It said he informed the task force that Ghanaians were behind them and urged them to forge ahead in unity and carry out their operations without fear or favour.
Riverine operations
The CDS, the statement said, disclosed that the Ghana Navy and the Marine Police were to commence full riverine operations along the major water bodies in the Eastern, Western and Ashanti regions simultaneously to stop the pollution of the water bodies through illegal mining activities.
It said the CDS reminded the joint task force to adhere to the rules of engagement during its operations, stressing that respect for the human rights of all suspects should be paramount.
The CDS, on behalf of the government, presented GHc10,000 each to the Eastern and Ashanti regional FOBs and GHc5,000 to the Taskforce Headquarters to boost their morale.
Col. Agyapong thanked the CDS for the gesture and assured him of absolute loyalty to the state and promised to continue to operate within the ambit of the laws of the country, the statement added.
Collaboration
It said Mr Asante-Apeatu lauded the collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces in the fight against illegal mining to protect the environment and the eco-system.
It said the IGP recalled that for the first time, the police and the military trained at the Bundase Training Camp to synchronise their operations to get them ready for the task ahead.
It added that he presented GHc10,000 to the personnel of the FOB on behalf of the government.
