Progressive Miners: Ghana Anti-Galamsey Security Extortion Allegations

• The Progressive Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana accuses security agencies of extorting money from miners during anti-galamsey operations.
• Allegations include payments exceeding 2.5 million Ghana cedis to military, police, National Security, NAIMOS, and MMDCEs.
• The Association also raises concerns about a "shoot-to-kill" approach by security operatives, fearing human rights violations.
• Spokesperson Philip Bawa stated that security personnel are allegedly turning enforcement into opportunities for financial demands.
• The Association demands government clarity on rules of engagement and immediate intervention to prevent abuse of power.

The Association is urging immediate government intervention to rectify these issues and prevent further misconduct during mining operations, advocating for a balanced approach that achieves environmental protection without compromising the rights and safety of miners.

The Progressive Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has brought forward serious accusations against various security agencies involved in the nation's fight against illegal mining, known locally as "galamsey." The Association alleges that personnel from the military, police, National Security, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), alongside certain Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), are exploiting their enforcement duties for personal financial gain. These claims, made public on November 11, 2026, highlight a pattern of alleged extortion targeting miners during anti-galamsey raids across Ghana.

Beyond financial impropriety, the Association has also voiced profound apprehension regarding the operational tactics employed by security forces. Specifically, they have raised concerns about a "shoot-to-kill" policy purportedly adopted during these enforcement actions. This aggressive approach, according to the miners' representative body, carries a significant risk of violating fundamental human rights, prompting an urgent call for governmental review and intervention.

The Progressive Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has provided specific examples to substantiate its claims of financial exploitation. The group asserts that some of its members have collectively paid sums exceeding 2.5 million Ghana cedis to security operatives. Philip Bawa, the Association's spokesperson, elaborated on these allegations, stating that miners are reportedly coerced into paying substantial amounts to prevent disruptions to their operations. Bawa indicated that these payments, sometimes reaching GH¢2.5 million from individual members, are perceived as outright extortion by military and other security personnel. He further suggested that the deployment of security forces to combat illicit mining has, in some instances, been repurposed into opportunities for demanding money from those involved in the sector.

In response to the alleged "shoot-to-kill" approach, the Association is demanding explicit clarification from the government regarding the established rules of engagement for anti-galamsey operations. They seek to understand the precise circumstances under which security personnel are authorized to use firearms against miners. Bawa emphasized the Association's deep concern over the apparent lack of public transparency and accountability surrounding the use of lethal force in mining-related activities, stressing that such actions must strictly adhere to legal frameworks and established protocols.

While the Progressive Small Scale Miners Association unequivocally supports governmental initiatives to curb illegal mining, it insists that all enforcement activities must be conducted with transparency, legality, and a steadfast respect for individual rights. The Association acknowledges the severe environmental degradation caused by irresponsible mining practices, including adverse impacts on Ghana's water bodies, forests, farmlands, and local communities. As licensed small-scale miners, they affirm a direct vested interest in ensuring the mining sector is properly regulated and that sustainable, responsible practices are consistently promoted.

The Association has expressed its readiness to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the government, traditional authorities, the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Authority, and security agencies, to effectively address illegal mining. However, this willingness is contingent upon the government addressing the current allegations of power abuse and potential human rights violations. The Association is urging immediate government intervention to rectify these issues and prevent further misconduct during mining operations, advocating for a balanced approach that achieves environmental protection without compromising the rights and safety of miners.

Lawyers advising small-scale miners in Ghana should be aware of the serious allegations of extortion and potential human rights violations by security agencies during anti-galamsey operations, particularly the 'shoot-to-kill' approach. This necessitates advising clients on their rights during enforcement actions, potential avenues for legal recourse against state actors, and strategies to mitigate risks of illegal demands or excessive force.

Source: Original reporting via Nana Boakye Yiadom