Shoot to maim illegal miners if ‘shoot to kill’ is opposed – Kwame Jantuah
Legal practitioner and member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Kwame Jantuah, says a drastic approach is needed to put a lasting end to the illegal mining menace Ghana is dealing with. He says if human rights activists oppose a “shoot to kill” strategy, then security operatives should shoot to maim illegal miners instead. Mr. […]
Legal commentator Kwame Jantuah, a member of the Convention People's Party (CPP), advocates for a more stringent approach to combat illegal mining in Ghana. He suggests that if the "shoot to kill" method faces opposition from human rights activists, security forces should instead employ a "shoot to maim" tactic. This stance comes in the wake of significant water pollution, particularly in the River Birim, which supplies freshwater to residents in the Akyem Apapam region.
Jantuah's proposal emerged following a video interview with Joseph Ackah-Blay, host of TV3's NewDay, aired on September 25, 2026. He argued that the "shoot to maim" strategy would instill fear and effectively deter illegal miners from engaging in galamsey activities. Additionally, he questioned the government's inability to impose a two- to three-year moratorium on small-scale mining to allow for proper restructuring of the sector.
Jantuah lamented that the government had previously attempted such a ban under former President Nana Addo, but abandoned it due to political considerations. He emphasized that halting small-scale mining for a few years could potentially restore water quality in the affected areas.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
