Two national executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yamin National organizer and Yakubu Abanga, have denied allegations that they are behind a rogue anti-galamsey taskforce accused of extorting money and harassing small-scale miners across the country.
The allegations, made by the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana (CSSMGG), claimed that a parallel taskforce operating illegally in mining communities was acting under the influence or with the backing of the two political figures.
The miners pointed specifically to incidents in Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso, and Prestea, where heavily armed individuals dressed in military gear allegedly invoked the names of Yamin and Abanga while engaging in extortion and intimidation.
However, in separate interviews, both Yamin and Abanga refuted any involvement and called on national security authorities to arrest and prosecute anyone impersonating them or using their names for illicit activities.
“I would be the last to sanction the activities of any illegal taskforce or group,” said Joseph Yamin, National Organiser of the NDC, speaking to Rawgist Online on Wednesday. “I have never engaged in mining, and I urge security agencies to act swiftly against any individuals using my name to harass legitimate miners.”
The NDC’s National Organizer further revealed that he has, on several occasions, reported illegal mining activities to authorities, most recently involving a case in the Eastern Region. He also encouraged miners to arrest anyone claiming to represent him or the NDC in such operations.
Yakubu Abanga, the party’s 3rd Vice Chairperson, also denied the accusations, stating that he has never been involved in any illegal taskforce and has not sanctioned anyone to operate on his behalf.
“I am a licensed miner with concessions in Ashanti, Western, and even in Côte d’Ivoire,” Mr. Abanga said. “I would never undermine the government’s anti-galamsey efforts, especially when I have been a victim myself, having some of my concessions taken from me and currently battling the matter in court.”
Both leaders emphasized that they support legal mining operations and the rule of law and distanced themselves entirely from any group involved in illegal activities under the guise of an anti-galamsey campaign.
Yammin’s Press Statement: Clarification on Allegations by Concerned Small-Scale Miners
My attention has been drawn to a press release issued by a group identified as Concerned Small-Scale Miners, in which they allege that I, together with the National Vice Chairman, Mr. Abanga, are behind what they describe as an illegal taskforce operating at various mining sites.
I wish to categorically state that I have no involvement whatsoever in the said allegations.
For the record, I am not part of any galamsey taskforce, nor have I been consulted or invited to contribute ideas on how to address illegal mining activities involving some small-scale miners. I am not a miner, I do not engage in any mining activities, and I do not own any mining concession.
If any individual or group is parading as a taskforce using my name, such actions are illegal and must be stopped immediately. I urge the appropriate authorities to investigate and deal decisively with anyone found impersonating me.
It is important to note that the formation and operation of any taskforce on illegal mining falls strictly under the jurisdiction of state security agencies not under the directive of any political party or individual.
I respectfully urge the Concerned Small-Scale Miners to dissociate me from their claims and to channel their grievances through the appropriate legal and regulatory institutions in their quest for a lasting solution.
Once again, I reiterate: I have no involvement in any such operations.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
