The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, Michael Adu Gyamfi, has made allegations of extortion against some police officers and mining enforcement taskforces. He claims that these groups demand money from miners during operations against illegal mining. This assertion was made during a panel discussion on TV3's Climate Talks 2026, Kumasi edition.
According to Mr. Adu Gyamfi, the alleged extortion has become a widespread practice among some taskforces deployed to mining communities. He specifically mentioned that the police are involved in this practice, although he could not confirm if the National Mining and Environmental Compliance Inspectorate Squad (NAIMOS) is engaged. He stated that it is an open secret that many taskforces take money from miners.
Mr. Adu Gyamfi questioned the deployment of multiple police units to the same mining sites, suggesting that this raises concerns about the true intentions of these operations. He noted that on one mining site, three police units visited in a single day, all claiming to be there for the same purpose. This has led him to wonder if the operations are focused on enforcement or extortion.
The units often identified themselves as coming from different levels of the police service, which further raises suspicions. Mr. Adu Gyamfi explained that when you inquire about their origins, they claim to be from the regional or divisional level. He also noted that those mandated to handle highway robberies are now moving into mining sites.
Mr. Adu Gyamfi also alleged that a District Assembly regularly deploys a taskforce to seize mining equipment, only to require miners to pay money before releasing the equipment. He stated that this practice is repeated monthly, with the taskforce collecting machine parts and then releasing them to miners one after the other.
The allegations have led Mr. Adu Gyamfi to call for a critical review of Ghana's licensing regime, the operations of mining taskforces, and government interventions. He believes that relying solely on force has not produced the desired results in the fight against illegal mining. He advocates for a more comprehensive approach to address the issue.
The issue of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, remains a significant challenge in Ghana. The government's efforts to combat it have been ongoing, but the allegations of extortion by some taskforces and police officers highlight the complexity of the issue.
Key points
- The Ashanti Small-Scale Miners Association alleges that police and district taskforces extort money from miners during anti-illegal mining operations.
- Multiple police units are often deployed to the same mining sites, raising concerns about the true intentions of these operations.
- The Association is calling for a review of Ghana's licensing regime and government interventions to address the issue of illegal mining.
