The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners leadership addressing the media
THE GHANA National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) have expressed gross concern over illegal seizure of their excavators across the country, and have consequently urged the government to ensure their release to the rightful owners without delay.
National Communications Director of GNASSM, Abdul Razak Alhassan, speaking at a mammoth press conference in Kumasi yesterday, lamented that some faceless politicians have been instigating the security agencies, notably the police, to illegally seize their excavators without justification.
“These politically exposed persons manipulate security agencies, exploit regulatory loopholes and back illegal miners to take over licensed concessions not for the sake of the environment or law, but for profit and power. These activities undermine formal small-scale mining initiatives by the government and the reset agenda,” he disclosed.
According to him, the legal activities of the members of GNASSM have been adversely affected ever since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration assumed the mantle of leadership, following the harassment they have been subjected to by the police.
“We demand the immediate release of all excavators and other machineries seized from licensed small-scale mining sites,” Razak Alhassan stated, and reiterated that government should take a second look at the numerous taskforces operating in the mining areas.
He stated that the National Anti-illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS), launched by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, is capable of delivering on their mandate, stressing that they “should be adequately resourced to handle the illegal mining issues in a more coordinated approach to realise the impact of their mandate.”
Razak Alhassan also demanded stronger protection for licensed small-scale miners, “including clear protocols for police operations on mining sites. These efforts will in the long run promote responsible mining,” noting that the capacity of the security agencies should be built for them to understand the small-scale mining operations and license regime of the sector.
He also stated that regulatory agencies like the Minerals Commission should be part of the operations of the anti-illegal mining taskforce to reduce the rate at which licensed small-scale miners are being abused and driven out of their legitimately acquired concessions.
“We call on all to demand accountability of our resources and justice to our environment for our future and that of our children,” he stated, reiterating that their seized excavators should be released to them through government’s intervention.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi