The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association in Ghana (CSSMGG) has accused top executives of the opposition 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 NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin and the party’s 3rd Vice Chairperson, 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.
Efforts to reach the accused parties for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Below is the full Press Statement
PRESS STATEMENT
Date: 9th July, 2025
From: Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana (CSSMGG)
Subject: Illegal Operations of a Parallel Anti-Galamsey Taskforce and Involvement of Political and Security Actors
The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana (CSSMGG) wishes to register its deepest concern and disappointment regarding the alarming activities of a group operating under the guise of an anti-galamsey taskforce in several mining communities across the country.
This group, which includes individuals reportedly affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some officers from the National Security Office, has been harassing, extorting, and intimidating small-scale miners at various concessions in regions such as Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso, and Prestea.
1. Allegations of Extortion and Intimidation
Our members have consistently reported that these individuals visit mining sites in full military attire, brandishing sophisticated weapons. Their conduct includes ransacking of properties, violent treatment of miners, and blatant extortion of money.These individuals frequently boast of having high-level connections, particularly citing Joseph Yamin, National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, 3rd Vice Chairperson of the party, as their political backers.
2. Identified Individuals Involved
Investigations by our association have uncovered that some known military officers are involved in these unlawful activities. Officers reportedly sighted at various mining locations include:
• Warrant Officer Ayamba
• Warrant Officer Ben (Bernard)
• Sergeant Salifu Abdul
• Lance Corporal Adu Richmond
• Sergeant Kunya Akwasi
• Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky
Further checks indicate these officers may be acting under the command of Colonel Tali, alleged to be the Operations Commander at the National Security Office.
3. Political Complicity
In the Ashanti Region, affected miners have confirmed that this unauthorized group, calling itself the Anti-Galamsey Taskforce, uses the names of senior NDC officials to legitimize their operations and to extort money from miners. Once again, the names of Joseph Yamin and Yakubu Abanga have repeatedly surfaced in this context.
These activities are not only undermining legitimate business operations but are also instilling fear among miners, some of whom have stopped working for fear of further attacks.
4. Questions to the Authorities
We are left asking:
• Why are some members of the National Security outfit engaging in illegal activities that threaten the livelihoods of law-abiding Ghanaian miners?
• Why are political actors allegedly using their influence to enable such rogue operations instead of protecting the interests of citizens?
5. Our Appeal
We call on His Excellency the President of the Republic to urgently intervene and dismantle this illegal taskforce threatening our members and the entire small-scale mining sector.
We take this opportunity to commend the President for appointing Hon. Armah Kofi Buah as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. We are confident in his leadership and urge him to intensify oversight and streamline the operations of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce to ensure the safety and protection of legitimate miners.
By bringing these matters into the public domain, we hope for swift and decisive action to restore order, protect our concessions, and safeguard our contribution to Ghana’s economy.
Signed:
Andrew Abban
Chairman
Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana
Contact: 0244-254-238
Source: www.kumasimail.com
