…. demand presidential action

A group of concerned small-scale miners is levelling serious allegations against key figures within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and senior military officers, accusing them of operating a shadowy anti-galamsey taskforce that is ‘terrorising’ miners and extorting money under the guise of enforcing illegal mining laws.

Chairman of the Concerned Small-Scale Mining Group in Ghana (CSSMGG), Andrew Abban, alleges that Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, the party’s Third Vice-Chairperson, are frequently cited by operatives of the parallel taskforce harassing mining sites in various regions.

But Joseph Yamin and Yakubu Abanga have firmly denied any involvement with the alleged rogue taskforce and condemned the use of their names in any illegal operations.

Mr Abban, however, insisted, “We have information that these operatives use the names of some National Democratic Congress party executives to extort money. Common names mentioned by these parallel taskforce agents include Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, Third Vice-Chairperson of the NDC, among others.”

The miners expressed disbelief that individuals closely linked to the ruling party could be implicated in actions that undermine the government’s own fight against illegal mining.

“We are also surprised that, rather than helping us to carry out our legitimate business, some persons within the ruling NDC are aiding the activities of these unscrupulous individuals posing as a parallel taskforce against galamsey to destroy our businesses.”

The group lamented that the actions of these politically connected individuals have created an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness in the mining sector, forcing many small-scale miners to flee their concessions.

“Some of our members, sadly, have refused to go to their sites, fearing they may be attacked by these illegal anti-galamsey operatives.”

The group further alleged that uniformed officers from the Ghana Armed Forces and National Security are involved in extortion schemes. According to them, these officers storm mining concessions armed, ransack properties, and demand cash payments.

The illegal operations are allegedly coordinated by one Colonel Tali, identified as the Operations Commander at the National Security Office, who they claim has deployed personnel to mining areas without any official mandate.

“Our checks since the issue gained public attention reveal that some of these operatives boast of government backing, as well as links to individuals within the National Security apparatus. Recently in Prestea, some of our members reported seeing Warrant Officers Ayamba and Bernard (Ben), who were operating with officers dressed in full military attire.”

Other names mentioned by the group include Sergeant Salifu Abdul, Lance Corporal Adu Richmond, Sergeant Kunya Akwasi, and Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky, all allegedly involved in the extortion and intimidation of miners.

“These agents carry sophisticated weapons in full military uniform, ransack our members’ sites, and subject them to inhumane treatment, including extortion,” they claimed.

The miners are calling for urgent presidential intervention, insisting that the activities of the rogue taskforce directly contradict the President’s recent directive to streamline enforcement through a single, coordinated national anti-galamsey taskforce.

“We hereby call on the President—who has, since assuming office, shown respect for our work—to act decisively to halt the activities of these parallel groups. We also take this opportunity to commend the President for appointing a noble character as Minister to oversee our legitimate business.”

The group also appealed to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Buah, to intensify efforts to disband all illegal operatives and consolidate enforcement under the legitimate national taskforce.

“We are hopeful that by bringing these issues into the public domain, the President and the Lands Minister will work together to address our concerns.”

RawGist Online quotes Mr Yamin as saying, “I have never engaged in mining. I would be the last to sanction the activities of any illegal taskforce or group. I have been diligent in reporting persons engaged in illegal activities, including mining, to the appropriate authorities.”

He urged National Security to investigate and arrest anyone using his name to extort from miners.

“Anyone using my name to terrorise or extort money from licensed and legitimate mining companies must be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.

Similarly, Mr Yakubu Abanga, who confirmed he is a licensed miner with concessions in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, said he has no links to any illegal taskforce.

“I am a private businessman and a licensed miner. I would never support or involve myself in any enterprise that undermines my own government or the state’s commitment to fighting illegal mining.”

He further disclosed that some of his concessions were taken under the previous administration and are currently the subject of court action. He emphasised that he would never participate in any activity that compromises the integrity of the mining sector.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has pledged to intensify efforts to bring order to the small-scale mining sector.

“These illegal elements are undermining the efforts of the state. They do not represent the mandate of the government and must be stopped,” the Minister stated recently.

THE FULL STATEMENT BY THE GROUP

Date: 9th July, 2025.

Statement By Concern Small Scale Mining Group On Operations Of Parallel Anti-Galamsey Taskforce:

We, the Concern Small Scale Mining Group in Ghana (CSSMGG) by this Statement is hereby registering our utmost displeasure and disdain about the activities of some assigns in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the National Security Office.

These assigns including military and police officers have been visiting some of our mining concessions and sites across the country to extort monies from some of our members.

More worryingly, these assigns carry sophisticated weapons in full military uniforms, ransack the sites of our members and subject them to inhuman treatment including extortion of money.

Investigations:

Our checks, since the issue gained currency, reveal that some of these assigns boast of governmental support as well as links to persons in the National Security Outfit.

Recently, in Prestea, some of our miners claimed they saw Warrant Officers Ayamba and Warrant Officer Ben (Bernard) who were operating with some officers fully attired in military colours.

Other miners claimed they spotted Sergeant Salifu Abdul and Lance Corporal Adu Richmond as well as Sergeant Kunya Akwasi and Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky in their mining sites.

These military officers, our further checks reveal were allegedly sent by one Colonel Tali who we learn is the Operations Commander at the National Security Office.

Party Executives Involvement:

Meanwhile, some of our members in the Ashanti Region also claim that their sites are tormented by these parallel group calling themselves Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.

We have information that these operatives use the names of some National Democratic Congress party executives to extort monies.

Common names that are mentioned by these parallel taskforce assigns have been Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC and Yakubu Abanga, 3rd Vice-Chairperson of the NDC and others.

We are therefore saddened by the activities of these illegal persons since by their activities they are succeeding in  forcing our members to halt their legitimate business.

Some of members, sadly have refused to go to their sites, fearing that they maybe attacked by these illegal anti-galamsey taskforce.

Questions:

We wonder why both National Security assigns are engaging in illegal enterprise and attacking miners whose livelihoods help the country to grow its economy.

We are also surprised that rather than helping us to carry out our legitimate business, some persons within the ruling NDC are aiding the activities of these unscrupulous persons posing as parallel taskforce against galamsey to destroy our businesses.

Appeal:

We hereby call on the President who has since the assumption of power shown respect for our work to act decisively to halt the activities of these parallel groups.

We also take this opportunity to commend the President for selecting for us a noble character as Minister to oversee our legitimate business.

We, however, call on the Minister of Lands, Hon Armah Kofi Buah, to intensify efforts in streamlining activities of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce so that miners could feel safe in their  sites and concessions

We are hopeful that bringing these issues to the public domain, the President would tackle our concerns and together with the Minister of Lands work to address same.

Signed:

Chairman Andrew Abban, Leader of the Concern Small Scale Miners In Ghana Group.