Miners Remind Mahama Of NDC Campaign Support

The ABA Progressive Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has reminded President John Dramani Mahama’s government of the support its members gave the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2020 general elections, insisting that the assurances made to them during the campaign must now translate into concrete action.

The association said its members supported the NDC’s campaign activities in various mining communities after party executives engaged them and made commitments to improve the operating environment for licensed small-scale miners.

It said the miners had expected the party’s return to power to bring meaningful interventions to address the challenges confronting the industry, particularly the protection of legitimate operators and the creation of a favourable business environment.

The association, however, expressed disappointment over what it described as persistent harassment, intimidation and alleged extortion of licensed miners by some military personnel, police officers and other security operatives.

At a press conference dubbed “Emu Yeya” (It Is Very Painful), held at Manso Datano in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the association said the current treatment of its members appeared to contradict the assurances given by the NDC before the elections.

The statement, read by the association’s spokesperson, Philip Bawah, said subsequent engagements with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain John Kwame Jabari, and the Ashanti Regional Minister had further raised expectations among licensed miners.

According to the association, Sammy Gyamfi had met miners in Kumasi and appealed for their support for the establishment and operations of GoldBod, while other government representatives had also assured them of government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for legitimate mining businesses.

The miners said they had reciprocated those engagements with their support and cooperation but were now confronted with security operations that allegedly disrupted their businesses.

GH¢2.5M Extortion Alleged

The association claimed that some of its members had been compelled to pay huge sums of money to security personnel to avoid disruptions to their mining activities.

It alleged that some miners had paid as much as GH¢2.5 million in what it described as extortion by military personnel and other security operatives.

The association further claimed that some personnel visited mining sites in unregistered vehicles to avoid being traced, adding that affected members had evidence, including Mobile Money transaction records, to support their allegations.

It mentioned the mining site of Alhassan Acquah in the Amansie South District, among other locations, as areas reportedly affected by the operations.

The miners also alleged that excavators had been seized, engines destroyed and other mining equipment damaged during some security operations.

NAIMOS Under Fire

The association also expressed concern about the activities of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and other security taskforces, accusing some operatives of failing to distinguish between licensed and unlicensed miners before undertaking enforcement operations.

It stressed that although licensed operators were required to comply with environmental and mining regulations, they were equally entitled to fair treatment and due process.

The miners said they supported the government’s fight against illegal mining and recognised the devastating effects of irresponsible mining on water bodies, forests and farmlands.

However, they insisted that the campaign must not become an avenue for extortion or the indiscriminate targeting of legitimate businesses.

They also raised concerns about what they described as a shoot-to-kill approach in the anti-illegal mining campaign, calling on the government to clarify the rules governing the use of lethal force during security operations.

Two-Week Ultimatum 

The association has consequently given the government a two-week ultimatum to address its concerns, warning that failure to do so would trigger a nationwide demonstration.

It has also threatened to suspend mining operations across the country for two months as part of measures to compel the government to address the alleged abuses.

The miners said such a shutdown could have serious economic consequences, considering the thousands of people whose livelihoods depended directly and indirectly on the small-scale mining industry.

Among their demands are the temporary suspension of security operations targeting small-scale mining communities to allow for consultations, an independent investigation into alleged extortion and abuse of office, and the establishment of a joint taskforce involving the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority.

They have also called on GoldBod to review its gold pricing formula to ensure that licensed miners receive fair value for their produce.

The association further wants the government to reconcile the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), with relevant COCOBOD legislative provisions to address potential conflicts affecting mining operators.

Mahama, Ministers Petitioned 

The miners have appealed directly to President Mahama to intervene and order an independent investigation into the allegations.

They have also called on the Chief of Staff to facilitate an urgent meeting between government and the association’s leadership.

The Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources, Defence and the Interior, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, have been urged to investigate the alleged misconduct and ensure accountability.

The association has also appealed to Human Rights International and other human rights organisations to investigate reported cases of intimidation and abuse against its members.

“We are not against regulation. We are not against law enforcement. We are not against the fight against illegal mining. We are against harassment, intimidation, extortion, abuse of authority and the unfair targeting of licensed small-scale miners,” the statement declared.

The association maintained that it remained committed to responsible and sustainable mining but warned that its patience should not be mistaken for weakness or its silence for consent.