Top political officials fingered extorting money from miners

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASM) has accused members of the Blue Water Guards and influential political figures of extorting money from small-scale miners under the guise of combating illegal mining.

At a press conference held in Kumasi on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, GNASM’s National Communications Director, Abdul Razak Alhasan, condemned what he described as systemic harassment and intimidation of miners, particularly in regions like Ashanti, Western North, Upper East, Eastern, Western, and Savannah.

He alleged that some elements within the Police and politically connected individuals are operating rogue task forces that extort and terrorize miners for personal gain.

“It is a human rights and corruption concern. Politically exposed persons manipulate security agencies for profit and power, undermining formal small-scale mining initiatives,” Alhasan stated.

He further claimed that security personnel, often under the influence or protection of political figures, raid legitimate mining sites and arrest miners under false pretenses. Some are reportedly stopped at checkpoints, accused of illegal possession of gold, despite having valid licenses.

“These politically exposed persons exploit regulatory loopholes and back illegal miners to take over licensed concessions—not to protect the environment or uphold the law, but purely for profit and power,” he said.

Alhasan warned that such actions threaten to derail the government’s formalization efforts under the Reset Agenda. GNASM is calling for an immediate end to the harassment and exploitation, insisting that legitimate small-scale miners be allowed to operate without fear or interference.