The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has categorically denied allegations of irresponsible mining practices levelled against its General Secretary, Godwin Nickleson Amarh, describing the claims as “baseless” and part of a “smear campaign”.
The allegations reportedly stem from a recent press conference held by a group calling itself The Extraction Accountability Project (TEAP), which accused Mr Amarh of violating responsible mining standards on his concession.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Accra and signed by GNASSM’s National President, Philip Akufo, the Association described the claims as “unfounded and lacking in evidence”.
“We strongly refute the claims of irresponsible mining practices on his concession,” the statement said.
“Mr Godwin N. Amarh’s mining concession has been a model of study and emulation for small-scale miners in Ghana. His commitment to responsible mining practices has earned him recognition and respect within the industry.”
More Read
GNASSM noted that Mr Amarh’s reputation and track record in the sector were key reasons for his nomination to represent the Association on the Ghana Gold Responsible Supply Chain Project (GOLDBOD) board.
“GNASSM recommended Mr Godwin N. Amarh to represent the Association on the GOLDBOD Board due to his expertise and dedication to responsible small-scale mining. We stand by our decision and believe that his contributions to the Board have been invaluable,” it stated.
The Association challenged TEAP to produce evidence to support its accusations, warning that failure to do so would expose the group’s true intentions.
“TEAP’s allegations against Mr Godwin N. Amarh are unfounded and lack evidence. We challenge TEAP to provide concrete proof of their claims. We believe that these allegations are a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the reputation of our General Secretary and GNASSM,” the statement read.
GNASSM reaffirmed its commitment to environmentally sustainable and socially responsible small-scale mining across the country.
“We urge the public to disregard TEAP’s baseless allegations and to recognise Mr Godwin N. Amarh’s contributions to responsible small-scale mining in Ghana. We call on the relevant authorities to investigate these allegations and take necessary actions if they find any wrongdoing,” it said.
The Association also issued a seven-day ultimatum to TEAP to retract the allegations and issue a public apology with equal prominence.
“GNASSM stands by its General Secretary and will continue to support responsible small-scale mining practices in Ghana,” the statement concluded.
The statement was also signed by Alhassan Abdul-Razak, Director of Communication at GNASSM, and Francis Opoku, Director of Finance and Member of the Communication Unit.
Godwin Armah was accused of overseeing extensive environmental degradation, sparking calls for his immediate removal from public office, including GoldBod, the recently instituted and the revocation of his mining license.
Godwin Armah, founder of Transeco Minerals and Mining Ltd, has been named in an exposé for allegedly operating mining sites in the Eastern Region that flagrantly violate environmental regulations.
“There is no sign of reclamation, no effort to restore what has been wantonly destroyed,” Charles McCarthy, Secretary for The Extraction Accountability Project (TEAP), said during a press briefing, where it said that “The landscape is scarred by open pits, death traps for people and wildlife alike.”
The findings come from the newly launched Extraction Accountability Project, a youth-led group in Ghana determined to confront the plague of irresponsible mining that is decimating lands, rivers, and forests.
“Our mission is resolute: to identify and expose the industry players, government officials, and political actors who continue to exploit our resources with reckless abandon, flouting every rule and regulation meant to protect our environment and communities”, it said.
The organisation aims to hold mining companies, politicians, and regulators responsible for careless and harmful mining activities. Their findings directly challenge Godwin Armah’s public persona as a champion of responsible mining.
Despite publicly condemning environmental abuses in the sector, TIP claims Amah’s personal mining operations contradict the very values he promotes. The group also raised serious concerns about his appointment to the Gold Board, an institution mandated to uphold integrity in the gold mining sector.
“We find it abhorrent that a man who leaves our environment in ruins should sit on a board meant to protect it,” the group stated. “Mr Armah’s rightful place is not in a boardroom but a prison cell.”
The group claims powerful figures, including elements within national security and high-ranking officials, are
shielding individuals like Amah from accountability.
While small-scale miners face crackdowns, they allege that well-connected individuals continue to deplete forest reserves and pollute water bodies with impunity.
The group called on key government figures, including Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Buah, and the CEO of the Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, to act swiftly by removing Amah from the Gold Board and revoking his mining license.
“We do not assume they were aware of these violations,” the group clarified. “But now that the truth is out, inaction would amount to complicity.”
The group has stated that it is taking a new approach to advocacy, moving beyond conventional awareness campaigns to “name and shame” individuals and companies with documented evidence of environmental harm. It describes its work as a response to Ghana’s growing ecological crisis driven by unregulated and illegal mining.
“We call upon Dr Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, Emmanuel Armah Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of GOLDBOD. It is our fervent hope that you were unaware of Mr Armah’s wanton disregard for responsible mining. Now that you know, you must act swiftly and decisively. Remove him from GOLDBOD with the speed of light. Anything less is complicity”.
“We also demand that the Minerals Commission immediately revoke Mr Armah’s mining licence. He has forfeited any right to operate in our precious land.
“Let it be clear: our aim today is not to convict Mr Armah in the court of public opinion. It is to sound the alarm and call upon those with the power and the responsibility to act. Irresponsible mining is an existential threat to our future, and it must not be allowed to continue, no matter who is behind it”, it concluded.
