Four soldiers, who were involved in illegal operations at a ‘galamsey’ site at Wassa Atieku in the Western Region on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, have been fired by the Ghana Armed Forces.
The four soldiers were all sentenced to 90 days detention with consequential penalties, including release from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Another soldier, who was also allegedly involved in the illegal operation while on duty, was sentenced to 60 days detention and a reduction in rank from Corporal to Private.
All the five soldiers were part of Operation Vanguard, the joint taskforce tackling illegal mining (galamsey).
A statement issued by Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director of Public Relations at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) gave the names of the soldiers and their numbers as 197533 Cpl Mensah S, 199442 Cpl Nkuah P, 199499 Cpl Owoo, SB, 203225 L/Cpl Boateng SY and 203538 L/Cpl Obeng S.
The statement noted that the soldiers were tried by a Disciplinary Board in accordance with Ghana Armed Forces Rules and Regulations.
It added “The Military High Command wishes to once again assure the general public that under no circumstances will it condone any unprofessional conduct by any member of the Ghana Armed Forces.”
According to sources, the soldiers were part of about seven military and police personnel, who went for the illegal operation.
The military men purportedly seized gold concentrate, popularly called ‘black’ by the local people, from a supposed ‘galamseyer.’
DAILY GUIDE gathered that the suspects, who went to the ‘galamsey’ site in a Toyota Hilux pick-up with registration number GC 7920-12, carried out the alleged operation without the consent of the commanders of the joint taskforce.
According to the police, on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at about 4.15 am, Police Lance Corporal Araba Botwe and Lance Corporal Regina Duodu of Wassa Akropong had information from one Mensah Sani, aged 47, about the alleged illegal operation.
The police, therefore, mounted surveillance on the suspects in Wassa Japa.
Whilst there, the Mbrantiehene of Japa, whose name was given only as Kofi, told the police that the uniformed men were moving towards Akropong.
A civilian driver, Fianyo Richard, attached to the group escaped arrest, but his driving licence was seized.
Items retrieved from the soldiers included 3SM rifles with 52 live cartridges, four mobile phones, three sets of military uniform and a set of police uniform.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi