The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to reassign all regional, divisional, and district police commanders currently stationed in mining areas.
This decision comes as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining, with the minister citing prolonged tenures in these areas as a factor contributing to ineffective enforcement. Officers who have remained in mining zones for an extended period will be replaced to ensure a fresh and more proactive approach.
Under the directive, affected commanders will be transferred to non-mining areas, while incoming officers will undergo a three-month probationary period. Those who fail to demonstrate effectiveness in tackling illegal mining will also face reassignment.
Speaking at a meeting with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak reaffirmed his commitment to enforcing the directive, despite growing pressure on the IGP to reconsider.
“I have ordered the IGP to transfer all police commanders in all mining areas and send in new ones. So if you are a regional, divisional, and district police commander serving in mining areas, you will be changed with immediate effect.
“The new ones we are taking there will be transferred after three months if they don’t perform. We will keep making changes till we see results,” he stated.
