The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has sounded the alarm about the alarming rate of harassment, intimidation, and extortion faced by small-scale miners at the hands of some law enforcement agencies and politically exposed individuals.
They have, therefore, demanded the immediate release of all excavators and other machinery seized from licensed small-scale miners by the various anti-galamsey task forces.
At a press conference held in Kumasi on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the National Communications Director, Abdul-Razak Alhassan, revealed that despite operating within the law, small-scale miners are being targeted and terrorized by those meant to protect them.
“We’ve had enough of these injustices,” Alhassan declared. “We demand an end to the extortion, intimidation, and harassment.”
According to Alhassan, some police officers and security agencies, often acting under the influence of powerful political figures, storm mining sites, confiscate equipment, and demand illegal payments.
This, he said, undermines the government’s efforts to formalize and expand small-scale mining.
GNASSM is calling for stronger protection for licensed small-scale miners, including clear protocols for police operations on mining sites.
They also proposed an alternative approach – engaging with illegal miners to correct their activities and formalize their operations where possible.
The small-scale mining sector contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy, generating $1.7 billion in the first half of 2024 alone. According to the Minerals Commission, this accounts for approximately 36% of the country’s total gold export revenue.
With the government’s initiative to double small-scale gold mining output, the sector is poised to play an even more vital role in the nation’s economic growth.
GNASSM is urging the government to support small-scale miners, rather than targeting them.
“We want to work with the government to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the challenges facing the sector,” Armah said. “Together, we can ensure that small-scale mining contributes to the country’s economic growth while minimizing its environmental impact.”
