A group of concerned small-scale miners is levelling serious allegations against key figures within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and senior military officers, accusing them of operating a shadowy anti-galamsey taskforce that is ‘terrorising’ miners and extorting money under the guise of enforcing illegal mining laws.
Chairman of the Concerned Small Scale Mining Group in Ghana (CSSMGG), Andrew Abban, allege that Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, the party’s 3rd Vice-Chairperson, are names mostly cited by operatives of the parallel taskforce harassing mining sites in the various regions.
“We have information that these operatives use the names of some National Democratic Congress party executives to extort monies.Common names that are mentioned by these parallel taskforce assigns have been Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC and Yakubu Abanga, 3rd Vice-Chairperson of the NDC and others.”
The miners expressed disbelief that individuals closely linked to the ruling party would be implicated in actions that undermine the government’s own fight against illegal mining.
“We are also surprised that rather than helping us to carry out our legitimate business, some persons within the ruling NDC are aiding the activities of these unscrupulous persons posing as parallel taskforce against galamsey to destroy our businesses.”
The group lamented that the actions of these politically connected individuals have created an environment of fear and lawlessness in the mining sector, forcing many small scale miners to flee their sites.
“Some of our members, sadly, have refused to go to their sites, fearing that they may be attacked by these illegal anti-galamsey taskforce.”
The group further alleged extortion schemes being enforced by a network of uniformed officers from the Ghana Armed Forces and National Security, who storm mining concessions with weapons, ransack properties, and demand cash payments.
According to the group, the illegal operations are allegedly coordinated by one Colonel Tali, identified as the Operations Commander at the National Security Office, who they claim has deployed officers to mining areas without any official mandate.
“Our checks, since the issue gained currency, reveal that some of these assigns boast of governmental support as well as links to persons in the National Security Outfit. Recently, in Prestea, some of our miners claimed they saw Warrant Officers Ayamba and Warrant Officer Ben (Bernard) who were operating with some officers fully attired in military colours.”
The group further named Sergeant Salifu Abdul, Lance Corporal Adu Richmond, Sergeant Kunya Akwasi, and Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky as officers allegedly involved in the extortion and intimidation of miners.
“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 miners claimed.
They are calling for urgent presidential intervention, insisting that the activities of the parallel taskforce directly contradict the President’s recent directive to streamline enforcement through a single, coordinated national anti-galamsey taskforce.
“We hereby call on the President who has since the assumption of power shown respect for our work to act decisively to halt the activities of these parallel groups.
We also take this opportunity to commend the President for selecting for us a noble character as Minister to oversee our legitimate business.”
The group also made a passionate appeal to the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Armah Kofi Buah, to intensify efforts to disband all illegal operatives and consolidate enforcement under the legitimate national taskforce.
“We are hopeful that bringing these issues to the public domain, the President would tackle our concerns and together with the Minister of Lands work to address same.”
NDC Executives Deny Involvement
In response, both Joseph Yamin and Yakubu Abanga have flatly denied any involvement with the alleged rogue taskforce and condemned the use of their names in any illegal operation.
Speaking to RawGist Online, Mr Yamin said , “I have never engaged in mining. I would be the last to sanction the activities of any illegal taskforce or group. I have been diligent in reporting persons who are engaged in illegal activities, including mining, to the appropriate quarters.”
He urged National Security to investigate and arrest anyone using his name to extort from miners.
“Anyone who goes about using my name to terrorise or extort money from licensed and legitimate mining companies must be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
Similarly, Mr Yakubu Abanga, who confirmed that he is a licensed miner with concessions in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, said he has no links to any illegal taskforce.
“I am a private businessman and a licensed miner and will never sanction, support or involve myself in any enterprise that would undermine my own government and the state’s commitment in fighting illegal mining,” he stated.
He added that some of his own concessions were taken under the previous administration and are currently the subject of court action. He emphasised that he would not take part in any activity that undermines the integrity of the mining sector.
Lands Ministry Promises to Dismantle
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has promised to intensify efforts to bring order to the small-scale mining sector.
“These illegal elements are undermining the efforts of the state. They do not represent the mandate of the government and must be stopped,” the Minister recently stated.
Joseph Yamin, Yakubu Abanga, Deny Being Behind Parallel Anti-Galamsey Taskforce
Two national executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have in separate interviews denied their involvement in the parallel illegal mining Taskforce that is allegedly terrorising and extorting monies from some small scale miners across the country.
The two are namely Joseph Yamin, Yakubu Abanga who are National Organiser, and 3r National Vice-Chairperson of the NDC respectively have also asked the national security office to arrest anyone who operates with their name or influence.
Joseph Yamin:
Speaking to Rawgist Online Wednesday morning, in reaction to some claims by a Concern Small Scale Mining Group, Mr Yamin said he has never engaged in mining.
He also denied sanctioning anyone or group of persons to operate as taskforce against galamsey.
The National Organiser therefore asked national security officials to arrest and prosecute any group or persons who ho about using his name to terrorise or extort money from licensed and legitimate mining companies.
“I would be the last to sanction the activities of any illegal taskforce or group but rather i have been diligent in reporting persons who are engaged in illegal activities including mining to tbe appropriate quarters with the recent being an illegal activity of a person in the Eastern Region”, Mr Yamin stated.
Furthermore, Mr Yamin urged miners to arrest anyone who comes around to use his name to extort money, peddle influence or to misconduct themselves so that the law can deal with them.
3rd Vice-Chairperson:
On his part, Mr Yakubu Abanga, the 3rd Vice Chairperson of the NDC denied meddling in the affairs of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce or operating or sponsoring any group to undertake any illegal activity.
Mr Abanga told this reporter that he was a miner of several years record and currently owned concessions in Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana as well as sites in Cote D’Ivoire.
He also revealed that he has concessions whose issues were in court since they were taken away from him during the Akufo-Addo administration.
“I am a private businessman and a licensed miner and will never sanction, support or involve myself in any enterprise that would undermine my own government and the state’s commitment in fighting illegal mining”, Mr Abanga stated.
Background
Following the activities of some illegal persons, the Lands Minister launched Anti-Galamsey Office to coordinate all.miming activities including that of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.
The Minister is working with the Office to disband and disarm the parallel anti-galamsey taskforce.
The illegal group, the Minister stated were currently operating against the interests of miners.
The parallel group are alleged to be carrying out extortions anytime they visit sites and concessions of small scale miners.
