Accra, Ghana — In a bold move to restore order in the country’s mining sector, the government is taking decisive steps to regulate the operations of unauthorized task forces that have been accused of harassing and extorting licensed small-scale miners under the guise of combating illegal mining.
The action comes on the heels of mounting complaints from the Ashanti Region chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM), which raised alarm over the rise of loosely coordinated, self-styled “anti-galamsey” groups. These groups, the association claims, have been operating without legal mandate, targeting even legitimate miners in their aggressive clampdowns.
Responding to the growing unease, President John Dramani Mahama convened an emergency stakeholder meeting on Monday, July 7, to address the issue. The meeting brought together key players in the fight against illegal mining, aiming to streamline enforcement operations and end the disorder plaguing the sector.
Speaking at a Council of State session shortly after the meeting, President Mahama acknowledged the complexity of the illegal mining crisis and expressed concern over the proliferation of unregulated enforcement bodies.
“There are too many groups operating independently under the pretext of enforcing the law, and this is creating confusion and abuse,” the President said. “Just this morning, I had to bring all stakeholders involved in the anti-galamsey fight to my office to realign their roles. It’s become clear that some task forces are now exploiting the system for personal gain.”
He emphasized that the government is committed to introducing better coordination and oversight mechanisms to ensure that the fight against illegal mining does not come at the cost of legitimate businesses.
The move is expected to bring much-needed clarity and accountability to enforcement efforts, as the country continues its complex battle against illegal mining — a struggle fraught with environmental, economic, and social consequences.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
