Stop intimidating, harassing our members - GNASSM to security agencies
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has accused members of the security agencies, particularly the police, of constant harassment and intimidation of its members at their various legitimate mining concession sites across the country.
The association complained of grave injustice, systematic harassment and extortion of small-scale miners by some elements within the law enforcement agencies.
“Our hardworking small-scale miners are being targeted and terrorised by those who are meant to protect them for profit and power, which undermines the Small-Scale Mining initiative and government resetting agenda,” it said.
Appeal
The association, therefore, called for an end to the intimidation and an immediate release of all confiscated mining equipment, especially excavators of their legitimate members, by the police and other task forces allegedly being operated by some political party members.
The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association, Abdul Razak Alhassan, made the appeal at a press conference in Kumasi.
He demanded a stronger protective measure for licensed small-scale miners, including Police operations in all 13 regions where the association members mine legally.
“Some Police officers and other security agencies, sometimes acting under the influence or protection of powerful political figures, storm mining sites with impunity, confiscate equipment, demand illegal payments and, in some cases, violently eject miners from lands they are legally licensed to mine,” he added.
The PRO further asked that the National Anti-illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS), launched by the sector Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, be adequately resourced to handle illegal mining issues in a more coordinated approach.
Mr Alhassan believed the association had, over the years, engaged in responsible and ethical mining practices; therefore, the constant intimidation and harassment against them was needless.
