In the midst of all the criticisms and allegations directed at the officials of the Operation Vanguard Taskforce, Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Mining, Prof. Frimpong Boateng has jumped to their defence.
Outlining their benefits, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation encouraged Ghanaians to focus on the good the officials had brought to communities that they operate in.
“…we have a lot of social issues, security issues and so on. In all the areas that Vanguard is operating, the crime rate is low, attacks on the highways low, drug abuse, addiction prostitution and even the interaction between miners and chiefs are good.
“This is one of the positive side effects of Operation Vanguard is that they ensure stability, safety and security in the districts where they are operating so people should see that and not hammer on the things that they may not have done,” he encouraged.
Personnel of the taskforce of Operation Vanguard have come under fire following allegations of some of corrupt activities.
Leading member of the NPP and MP for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong alleged that the unit had become a cash cow for soldiers and committee members.
He charged President Akufo-Addo to dissolve the taskforce as well as the officials at the helm else stands the risk of losing up to four regions in the Eastern region.
“As for “galamsey”, we have failed as a government and immediately the president must dissolve and withdraw both Galamstop and Operation Vanguard; they are feeding fat on the “galamsey” fight and soldiers are fighting to be in that team; the people that are in charge have disgraced the president…
“...these men have turned the “galamsey” fight into a gold mine and have disgraced the president; I recommend that he sacks all of them because what they have done is disgusting and sickening; important personalities, they couldn’t control themselves at the sight of money, forgetting that they would die someday,” he barked.
In response to the allegations, however, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation noted that he was aware that Operation Vanguard had flaws and that reported cases were dealt with.
“…I’m not saying that they are perfect. There may be one or two cases of extortion of money which I will not know but if it comes to our attention and it’s brought of the CDS, the Military takes a very strong stand on that. Nobody will condone that kind of behaviour,” he stressed
