Small-scale miners in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have accused elements within Ghana’s security services and politically connected individuals of harassment, extortion and the illegal seizure of mining equipment under the guise of fighting illegal mining.
Members of the Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association said the latest incident occurred during a two-day operation by security agencies at Manso Watreso, Adagya and other communities in the district, during which more than seven excavators were seized. The machines were reportedly parked at various locations and not in operation at the time.
A visit to the sites on Saturday, October 17, 2026, revealed that security personnel had destroyed several pieces of equipment belonging to the miners.
Speaking to the media, Philip Kwabena Bawa, Head of Operations for the Association, said members were being targeted despite operating outside forest reserves and river bodies. He called on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to intervene.
“We are not working in forest zones or river bodies, so we see this action as harassment,” Bawa said.
He alleged that powerful figures are running parallel, unsanctioned task forces in the area, targeting small-scale miners for personal gain.
“Intimidation and alleged extortion of small-scale miners by some elements within law enforcement agencies, especially the police and national security, and politically exposed persons who run their own task forces for selfish interests, remain a serious concern,” he said.
According to him, these unauthorised operations have led to the unlawful confiscation of excavators and other machinery legally deployed by licensed operators.
“Some security personnel, sometimes acting under the influence or protection of powerful political figures, storm mining sites with demands for illegal payments. In some cases, they violently eject miners from land they are legally licensed to mine,” he added.
Bawa warned that the actions are not only hurting livelihoods but also threatening efforts to formalise the small-scale mining sector, which employs thousands and contributes significantly to the local economy.
“The small-scale mining sector has huge socio-economic prospects if properly managed. The employment opportunities, the supply of raw gold for value addition, and the upstream, mainstream and downstream linkage benefits, as well as its integration into our local economy, cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
The accusations come amid heightened government efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, which has caused widespread environmental degradation, particularly through water pollution and deforestation. Security operations targeting illegal mining have intensified in recent years, with task forces deployed across several mining districts.
However, licensed small-scale miners have repeatedly complained that they are caught in the crossfire, with operations sometimes targeting legitimate operators. Industry players have argued that the absence of clear demarcation between legal and illegal mining zones, coupled with weak oversight of security task forces, has created room for abuse.
The Minerals Commission has previously stated that it is working to streamline the licensing regime for small-scale miners and improve coordination with security agencies to prevent wrongful seizures. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has also faced calls to establish clearer guidelines for security operations in mining communities.
In 2024, the government announced plans to revamp the small-scale mining sector through a formalisation programme aimed at providing training, equipment support and access to financing for licensed operators. The initiative was expected to reduce illegal mining activity by offering miners a viable legal pathway.
For now, the Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association is demanding accountability, transparency and a review of security operations in Amansie South. Bawa said the group would continue to pursue dialogue with authorities while calling for the protection of their members’ rights.
“We are not against the fight against illegal mining. But we are licensed operators, and we deserve to be treated as such,” he said. “The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources must intervene before this situation destroys livelihoods and undermines the very sector the government claims to support.”
