The Deputy Defence Minister, Derrick Oduro has emphatically told Citi News that the Ghana Armed Forces has not deployed any military personnel to the mine where the foreigners were arrested on Monday.
According to him, military personnel are only deployed to big mining companies upon request but this has not happened under the current circumstance.
His comment comes on the back claims by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu that the Ghana Armed Force High command deployed some of its personnel to protect galamsey operators in parts of the Ashanti Region.
Mr. Amewu made the claims on Monday during his tour of some galamsey sites in the region. But speaking to Citi News in an interview, the Deputy Defence Minister said the military men the Lands Minister saw were acting on their own accord.
“When the news came up the Chief of Defence staff has been with me and we have spoken at length on this issue. All the commanders at various places – Chief of Air staff, Chief of Army staff and even Chief of Naval staff were skeptical. Everybody doubts where that information is coming from. It is never true that armed forces are providing security for galamseyers.,” he stated.
He said it’s possible that those Mr. Amewu saw were rather impersonating the military.
“If they are legal miners, there is no problem[but] if they were illegal miners and had come to see the Armed Forces [for protection], no. Armed Forces can never and would never do that. I cannot say that he [Amewu] didn’t meet soldiers there. People are impersonating the military . . . people are wearing anything similar to the outfit of the military . . . don’t forget that some of the illegal miners are holding arms.”
“All galamsey activities wherever its being taken place they have hidden weapons there. The police and the military are on them looking for those weapons. So it’s not strange that these people are using arms, left alone uniforms in operating, posing as soldiers,” he added.
Source: Citifmonline.com
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This is the second time Derrick Oduro has jumped to the defense of the military. He cannot be taken serious.
Which is worse, that there are men impersonating the military that the security services ar not aware of or that the military is protecting illegal miners.
Derrick, I do not know if you have any security background based on good knowledge. Any person in Ghana could have said what you said and there is nothing sane in it if it is coming from you. You like other ministers take our taxes and sit in air-conditioned offices and predict affairs for the nation. If you do not end this lazy attitude, your disgrace would be worse. Ghana is not a joke, it is a nation built on the sweats and blood of noble people who served, served and served till they died. You are warned.
I do not think that it is the responsibility of the Deputy Minister to speak. The military structure has its PR Department and they can speak for the soldiers. My worry is that the minister was not at the mining site when the military men were seen. He can only provide his statement based on reports from the officers in Kumasi. I do not think at this stage in his political career Mr Amewu cannot differentiate between an impersonator and a military personnel. We may attempt to justify wrong doing today but they could hunt us as a country in future if we do not stop this rot. Whoever was found there be it an impersonator or a military officer should be arrested and made to inform Ghanaians of his job description.
This Oduro man shouldn't have been confirmed as a minister. If Nana Addo is not careful, this deputy minister will create a big problem for the party. He speaks carelessly and defends issues even before investigations begin. It is shocking the party gave him such a sensitive position. A word to the wise.....
He said it’s possible that those Mr. Amewu saw were rather impersonating the military. the likes of such fuuuuuuuuuls will sooner than later shatter Akuffo Addo's dream.Who does not know that elements in the Military is in conivace with thses Galaseyers.