Stop harassing licensed miners – Small Scale Miners to Govt

The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has called on the government to fulfil its commitment to introducing technological reforms and capacity-building programmes aimed at curbing illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey.”

At a press conference in Kumasi on Tuesday, June 24, the Association expressed deep concern over what it described as targeted harassment of licensed miners by state security operatives since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assumed office.

According to the Association, instead of focusing on sustainable strategies to combat illegal mining, the government, they alleged, has unleashed its anti-galamsey task force on legitimate small-scale operators. The group accused the task force of engaging in unlawful acts, including the arbitrary seizure and destruction of excavators belonging to members who are legally registered.

The Association further alleged that some equipment, not even in operation, has been forcibly removed from the private residences of miners, a move they say casts doubt on the credibility and legality of the task force’s operations.

President of the Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, stressed the need for a more constructive and collaborative approach to the fight against illegal mining, urging the Government to shift focus from punitive crackdowns to the implementation of promised reforms that would support and modernise the small-scale mining sector.

Peprah emphasised that addressing the galamsey menace requires fairness, consistency, and genuine support for legal miners, not intimidation and destruction.