An intervention by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, averted what could have been a fatal clash between two groups allegedly operating under the banner of a government taskforce fighting illegal mining in the Western Region.
According to JoyNews sources, the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce encountered resistance while attempting to disarm another group that also claimed to be operating under government authorization.
The tense standoff was de-escalated after the Lands Minister reached out to both parties via phone, urging restraint and coordination.
The composition of the second, allegedly unauthorized group remains unknown. However, its activities are believed to be undermining the government’s renewed fight against illegal mining.
Some members of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) have reported being victims of this group, which is accused of extortion. These operatives reportedly seize and sometimes burn excavators discovered during their operations.
The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association has also raised alarm about a similar group posing as a government taskforce and terrorizing licensed miners.
Its president, Kwadwo Peprah, stated that many miners are losing their investments due to the actions of this rogue group. He further accused the operatives of extorting legally operating miners, thereby deepening the mistrust within the small-scale mining community.
Background
Following its assumption of power earlier this year, the NDC government renewed the national campaign against illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.” A key component of this effort was the establishment of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce, designed to complement the work of existing security agencies.
However, the emergence of alleged counterfeit operatives is threatening to derail these efforts. Members of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners say they are bearing the brunt of these unauthorized actions and are calling on the government to take urgent steps to halt their operations.
Some mining companies have argued that the actions of the illegal group are not only harmful to their businesses but also undermine government initiatives aimed at regulating the sector.
The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association has warned that allowing the rogue group to continue operating could damage the broader mining industry and negatively affect the work of the Ghana Gold Board.
In the midst of growing concern, President John Mahama and Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah have received praise from licensed mining associations for their commitment to sanitizing the sector.
However, these groups are also urging swift and decisive action to disband the illegal taskforce and protect legitimate miners.
Some affected miners are calling on the government to address the situation immediately, warning that if left unchecked, the chaos could escalate and result in fatalities.
