Probe how anti-galamsey fund was expended — Concerned small-scale miners
The National Concerned Association of Small-Scale Miners (NCASSM) has called for a probe into the utilisation of over $200 million allocated between 2017 and 2024, to combat illegal mining (galamsey) in the country.
The association has alleged mismanagement of those resources meant for interventions to curb the galamsey menace and has urged the government to set up an independent committee to audit the expenditure of the campaign and examine the procurement and how the resources were deployed.
A press statement issued by the association raised concerns about the misuse of funds on interventions such as procurement of pick-ups, drones, GPS tracking devices, the Galamstop app, and training of drone pilots, among others.
Seized equipment
The statement, which was signed by its President, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, and copied to the media, called on the government to investigate reports of mismanagement of seized mining equipment and hold accountable those responsible for their sale or destruction.
“We want the committee to provide a full report on failed initiatives, including the GalamStop application, and determine who benefited from them and why they were not properly implemented.
“Individuals or groups found to have misused public funds or diverted resources intended for the fight against galamsey must also be prosecuted,” the statement further said.
Fight against galamsey
The NCASSM stressed that the fight against galamsey would only succeed if public resources were used transparently and effectively and implored the government to work with stakeholders in the small-scale mining industry to develop sustainable solutions and implement rigorous monitoring of anti-galamsey initiatives.
It further encouraged all Ghanaians to demand accountability to safeguard the future of small-scale mining and protect the country’s natural resources
“We, the National Concerned Association of Small-Scale Miners, pledge our support to the government in its efforts to combat illegal mining,” the statement said.
Background
In 2018, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced that over 200 drones had been procured by the government to assist in its fight against illegal mining across the country.
The machines, the ministry said, were to be used to take live images in districts where the practice was rampant.
As part of the initiative, some 150 persons reportedly underwent training at the George Grant University of Mines and Technology at Tarkwa in the Western Region, on how to operate the drones.
At that time, the government announced that its grand plan towards ending illegal mining included the establishment of district mining committees in mining areas across the country, the deployment of Operation Vanguard, fitting tracking devices in excavators used in mining districts, and the use of drone technology, among others.