A Ghanaian illegal miner has accused some Members of Parliament (MPs), traditional chiefs, and police officers of sabotaging the government’s efforts to nip the issue of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, in the bud.
Speaking to Accra-based TV3 on the condition of anonymity, he alleged that these reputable personalities provide intel on government and security raids, providing the opportunity for illegal miners to evade the claws of justice.
“I wept the first time I entered the business because I saw how vast lands were destroyed. When they began the operation, we had to be friends with DCE, you had to be friends with MP, district police and subchiefs in order not to be caught. These people place a call to alert us not to be on the field on the day of the operation,” he remarked.
The illegal miner opined that there is no clear distinction between illegal miners and companies that secure permits for mining since the latter, with support from political parties, contribute to the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
“There is no difference between galamsey and illegal mining. Those who have the licence also spoil our river bodies. We destroy the river bodies because there is more gold there than the plain land. The big men push those who have the money and employ a lame man like me. The mining companies in Ghana are political, one concession belongs to one NDC man because NDC is not in power that concession has been delivered to one sitting NPP woman somewhere at Atiwa,” he added.
There have several government officials who have been relieved of their duties due to their involvement in illegal mining.
Four years ago, the Amansie South District Chief Executive, William Asante Bediako, was sacked by President Akufo-Addo for defending the illegal activity.
In October 2022, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Bosome Freho District Assembly in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Danso, was sacked by President Akufo-Addo. The former DCE however insists on his innocence.
Presently, there is mounting pressure on the government to fire from all Municipal and District Chief Executives under whose watch the practice of illegal mining is taking place. One of the individuals leading such calls is the Convener of the Media Coalition against Galamsey, Kenneth Ashigbey.
Illegal mining has emerged as a significant challenge in the country, particularly due to its detrimental impact on Ghana’s water bodies. Despite a series of government interventions ranging from deploying security forces to arresting offenders, the problem of galamsey continues unabated.
Recently, President Akufo-Addo directed the set up of a five-member ad hoc ministerial committee to engage stakeholders to assess the government’s efforts to deal with illegal mining activities.
Amid the reassessment, there are growing calls for the government to impose a ban on small-scale mining, and declare a state of emergency to protect water bodies and the country’s vegetation cover.
Government’s representatives in the sector in question have however shot down such calls, citing the economic benefit the country derives from gold production by small-scale miners.