Small-Scale Miners Cry Out for Government Intervention Amidst Extortion and Intimidation
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has sounded the alarm, claiming that small-scale miners in Ghana are being subjected to ruthless intimidation and extortion by security agencies and corrupt officials. According to Alhaji Musah Osman Bance, Chairman of the council of elders for GNASSM Ashanti, members are being forced to pay exorbitant sums of money to operate, with some even paying just to stay in business without generating any income.
Law-abiding miners are being harassed, threatened, and forced to hand over large sums of money to individuals claiming to act on behalf of the government. This has driven many miners to the edge of despair, with some struggling to make ends meet.
The GNASSM is demanding government intervention to protect small-scale miners from corrupt figures and create a secure environment for mining. Michael Adu Gyamfi, Ashanti district GNASSM secretary, argues that small-scale miners deserve the same protection given to farmers.
The association is calling on the government to take drastic action to safeguard the livelihoods of its members. “Enough is enough!” declared Alhaji Osman, signaling a boiling point in a crisis that threatens the livelihoods of thousands.
The GNASSM wants the government to create a secure environment for small-scale mining in Ghana before it’s too late. The association believes that with the right support and protection, small-scale mining can thrive and contribute to the country’s economic development.
The situation faced by small-scale miners in Ghana is dire, with extortion, intimidation, and lack of government support threatening the very existence of the sector. The government must take decisive action to address these issues and create a secure environment for small-scale mining to flourish.
