The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has debunked reports that some soldiers are deployed to provide security for mining firms in forest reserves.

The Armed Forces was reacting to allegations by the Mentiahene of Bekwai, Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre that military personnel provide security for mining firms.

But GAF in a statement said the allegations are false.

“GAF wishes to state categorically that there are no military personnel deployed for such activities and no soldier is providing security for any mining company in any forest reserve in any part of the country.

“In a video with some recycled content of past unsubstantiated allegations which have since gone viral, Mentiahene of Bekwai, Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre, alleges that military personnel are providing security for an illegal mining firm operating in the Kobro Forest in Amansie Central,” GAF said in a statement.

According to the statement, some persons dressed in US military-pattern uniforms working for a private security firm and alleging to be military personnel have been picked up.

The statement added that the people had been contracted by a registered small-scale mining company named ‘Elvis and Co Mining Ltd’.

“These private security guards should not be misconstrued as GAF personnel because their camouflage pattern uniforms are even totally distinct from GAF.”

GAF noted that several impersonators in recent times have also been arrested and handed over to the Police for prosecution.

The Armed Forces stressed that Operation Halt II has been intensified in order to aid the fight against illegal mining.

“Accordingly, GAF has revamped Operation Halt II in order to intensify its surgical operations to curb the destruction of the forest reserves and pollution of the river bodies.”