The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied allegations by Hansol Mining Limited that soldiers in the security task force engaged in anti-illegal mining operations were involved in armed robbery.

A statement signed by Major E. Assan of GAF Public Relations Directorate, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, described the allegation as a deliberate attempt to malign the personnel.

It said the operation to halt illegal mining is conducted by a task force under the auspices of the National Security and in support of Regional, Municipal and District Security, including members of other security outfits.

“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to advice Hansol Mining Limited in particular and all other mining firms or group of persons who are deliberately attempting to denigrate the military, to refrain from such activities else we would have to take the necessary legal measures to protect our image,” the statement said.

It said it was alleged that, some soldiers including the Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion have been arrested in a recent operation near Obuasi.

The statement said the information was false, and Ghana Police Service has confirmed that the suspects who were arrested did not include military personnel.

“GAF wishes to assure the public that it will continue to be part of the national effort to curtail the naked degradation of the environment in all spheres, whether the forests, rivers or water bodies and will continue to enforce the law in the mining areas under the national security taskforce.”