The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association in Ghana (CSSMGG) has accused top executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some national security personnel of backing a rogue anti-galamsey taskforce operating illegally in several mining communities across the country.
In a statement dated July 9, 2025, and signed by Chairman Andrew Abban, the association alleged that the illegal taskforce, which has been extorting money and harassing miners, is linked to the National Organiser, Joseph Yamin, and NDC National Vice Chairman, Yakubu Abanga.
The group claims that in regions including Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso, and Prestea, armed men in military uniforms have been invading mining sites under the guise of an anti-galamsey taskforce. According to the miners, these individuals often boast of connections to high-ranking officials and are involved in extortion and physical abuse.
“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,” the statement read.
The miners also identified several individuals allegedly involved in the operations, including Warrant Officers Ayamba and Bernard, Sergeant Salifu Abdul, Lance Corporal Adu Richmond, Sergeant Kunya Akwasi, and Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky.
These individuals were allegedly deployed under the command of Colonel Tali, who is said to be the Operations Commander at the National Security Office.
The CSSMGG expressed dismay over what it described as a politically motivated interference in legitimate mining activities. “Some of our members in the Ashanti Region have had their sites tormented by these parallel groups, which use the names of NDC party executives to extort money,” the group stated.
The association called on President John Dramani Mahama to take swift action to dismantle the parallel taskforce and protect legitimate small-scale miners.
“We are urging the Minister of lands and natural resource to intensify efforts to streamline the activities of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce to ensure miners can work in safety,” the statement concluded.
The allegations come in the wake of recent efforts by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to formalize and regulate the small-scale mining sector through the Anti-Galamsey Office.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
