KUMASI, Ghana – The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has sounded an alarm over systematic harassment, intimidation, and extortion of its members by elements within law enforcement agencies and politically connected individuals.
Speaking at a press conference, GNASSM National Public Relations Officer Abdul al-Hassan Razak described the situation as a “grave injustice,” emphasising that the issue transcends mining, touching deeply on human rights and corruption.
We are here to bring to your attention a grave injustice—the systematic harassment, intimidation, and alleged extortion of small-scale miners by some elements within law enforcement, especially the police, and politically exposed persons who run their own parallel task forces for selfish gain, Razak stated.
The association claims that illegal operatives storm legal mining sites, seize equipment, demand bribes, and, in some instances, violently eject licensed miners from their concessions. GNASSM warns that such actions not only undermine the rights of miners but also jeopardise government efforts to formalise and regulate the sector.
Highlighting the sector’s economic significance, Mr. Razak noted that small-scale mining, when properly managed, delivers substantial socio-economic benefits. From January to April 2025 alone, the sector contributed over $2.7 billion in foreign earnings, attributed to reforms like the Ghana Gold Board and the sanitisation of gold trading activities.
GNASSM is calling on the Inspector General of Police and the government to take urgent action to stop these abuses and restore confidence in the sector.
REPORTED BY ABRAHAMS JULIANA
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