Small-scale miners accuse anti-galamsey task force of extortion

The Ashanti Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has raised concerns over the activities of multiple unregulated task forces operating under the pretext of combating illegal mining, claiming their actions have led to harassment and extortion of licensed small-scale miners across the region.

Speaking in a radio interview with Citi FM on Monday [June 30, 2025], the Secretary of the Ashanti Chapter, Michael Adu Gyamfi, said the situation had worsened in recent months, with several unauthorised teams carrying out overlapping and uncoordinated operations in various mining areas.

“In a single patrol day, you may witness three or four different operation teams visiting the same site, all claiming to serve the same purpose,” Mr Gyamfi said.

“One will say they are from national, another from regional, and a third from district level. Our people are being intimidated and extorted.”

Mr Gyamfi, who oversees activities in five mining zones within the Ashanti Region, including parts of Obuasi, Amansie, and Bekwai, said these task forces often operate without clear mandates, identification, or oversight from relevant authorities.

He explained that while the Association supports the government’s efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, particularly within protected areas such as forest reserves and river bodies, the current approach has become chaotic and counterproductive.

“We are not against the government’s fight against illegal mining. In fact, we supported the clampdown in red zones—river bodies and forest reserves. But what we are seeing now is total chaos. The operations are unregulated, uncoordinated, and open the door for miscreants to take undue advantage,” he said.

Mr Gyamfi also questioned the role of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) in leading some of the recent enforcement operations, describing it as an unexpected shift that has caused further confusion on the ground.

“At what point did the Minerals Development Fund become a lead institution in the galamsey fight?” he asked. “We have never heard of this before. Their new role is creating confusion on the ground.”

The Association is urging the government to review and streamline all anti-galamsey efforts in the region. Mr Gyamfi said only task forces with clearly defined mandates, proper identification, and accountability structures should be allowed to operate within small-scale mining communities.

“Our message is simple,” he said. “Let the fight against illegal mining be lawful, targeted, and regulated. Otherwise, it becomes an avenue for extortion and abuse.”