Kumasi: The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has appealed to the government to protect its members from persistent intimidation and extortion by alleged security operatives and other unscrupulous individuals. Mr. Michael Adu Gyamfi, Secretary of the Ashanti District, at a press conference in Kumasi, expressed grave concern over the situation, warning that the success of the government's flagship 'Goldbod' initiative hinged on the safety and security of small-scale miners.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adu Gyamfi stated that their members were facing constant intimidation and extortion. He stressed that instead of focusing on illegal miners causing significant environmental damage, these alleged security personnel were preying on legitimate, law-abiding miners. Such actions, he noted, could jeopardize the government's efforts to formalize and regulate small-scale mining through the Goldbod programme.
Mr. Adu Gyamfi urged authorities to treat small-scale miners with the same level of protection and respect afforded to cocoa farmers under the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). 'Just as the government protects cocoa farmers to ensure the success of COCOBOD, so must it protect small-scale miners to ensure the success of Goldbod,' he emphasized. He added that if the government was serious about Goldbod, then it must guarantee the safety of small-scale miners.
He called for immediate investigations into the alleged misconduct of some security personnel and demanded swift punitive actions against those found culpable. Mr. Adu Gyamfi cautioned that continued harassment could deter miners from participating in the Goldbod initiative, ultimately threatening its overall success.
He also clarified that the association was not against efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, popularly known as 'galamsey,' but condemned the growing instances of extortion and harassment. 'We are not against the fight against illegal mining, but the intimidation and extortion have become rampant. That is what we are against, and we are calling on the government to come to our aid,' he stated.
Reaffirming the association's commitment to working with the government to combat illegal mining and promote sustainable mining practices, Mr. Adu Gyamfi insisted that such collaboration could only succeed if miners were protected from exploitation.
