…As Parallel Squad disrupts official operations; Small-Scale Miners alarmed
President John Mahama’s campaign against illegal mining is reportedly being compromised by a rogue task force that has been harassing miners, while posing as part of the official National Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force.
According to insiders, this unauthorised group is being supported by influential individuals who are exploiting their positions to advance personal interests.
The rogue task force, has been raiding legitimate mining sites, seizing machinery, and burning equipment, inflicting significant losses on lawful operators.
A recent incident in the Western Region, saw this unapproved group clash with the government-sanctioned task force, disrupting operations and undermining the official team’s mandate.
The situation was defused following the intervention of the Minister for Land and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who recalled the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce to avoid potential bloodshed.
Sources further disclosed that the illegal group, later blocked the route of the National Taskforce en route to Accra, demanding that they surrender. It took several hours for tensions to be calmed.
The unauthorised task force, has also targeted mining sites in the Ashanti Region, where it has been accused of destroying equipment and extorting money from licensed miners.
Although the government established its task force to curb the menace of illegal mining (galamsey), these parallel operations are now threatening its credibility and effectiveness.
Affected miners have voiced their frustration, citing not only the destruction of equipment, including a brand-new SUV, but also the growing sense of insecurity within the industry.
They have called on the government to act swiftly to halt the operations of the rogue task force, which they say is causing more harm than good.
It is understood that both President Mahama and Armah-Kofi Buah are unaware of the activities of this shadowy group, which appears to be operating covertly.
Legitimate small-scale mining companies, which have been impacted by these attacks, are appealing to the government for protection and intervention. They argue that the activities of the illegal task force are jeopardising their businesses and undermining national efforts to regularise the sector.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety and security of miners, as the burning of machinery and seizure of property continue to expose them to financial and physical risks.
In the span of just one week, the country has witnessed two separate press conferences held by the National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana and the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, both expressing deep concern over the operations of the unauthorised task force.
Kwadwo Peprah, National President of the National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association, criticised the taskforce’s heavy-handed approach, mistakenly attributing some of their alleged unlawful activities to the government’s official team.
Similarly, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners warned that if the rogue group is allowed to continue its operations unchecked, the government’s Goldbold Initiative, aimed at transforming the mining sector, could be severely compromised.
They stated that, while they operate within the law, they are under siege by impostors acting under the guise of the official National Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce. This, they said, has rendered the objectives and credibility of the government’s initiative questionable in the eyes of legitimate miners.
The government is being urged to act decisively to dismantle the rogue task force and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s mining industry. Miners are also calling for the prosecution of those behind the illegal operation to serve as a deterrent to others.
