Military warns of rising arms proliferation in mining zones

Ghana Armed Forces have raised concern over the increasing proliferation of illegal and improvised weapons in mining areas, warning that this trend is driving the gradual militarisation of illegal mining activities in parts of the country.

This concern was highlighted at the Western Regional validation and dialogue workshop on the safety and security ecosystem of illegal mining in Ghana, held in Takoradi.

The workshop, organised by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) with support from the Spanish Embassy in Ghana, forms part of efforts to deepen stakeholder engagement, validate research findings and strengthen coordinated policy responses to the evolving security threats linked to illegal mining.

Field findings presented at the event revealed that illegal miners and associated criminal networks are increasingly relying on weapons to secure gold-bearing lands, control access routes and protect equipment and financial interests while deterring rivals and security interventions.

Stakeholders warned that this development is entrenching a culture of intimidation and violence, with the threat or use of force becoming a routine means of asserting control over mining territories.

Commandant of KAIPTC David Anetey Akrong said engagements across mining communities in the Western Region point to a dangerous nexus between illegal mining and the circulation of arms.

“Of particular concern is the growing link between illegal mining and spread of illegal and improvised weapons, which heightens the risk of violent confrontation and loss of life,” he stated.

He cautioned that some mining areas are evolving into “securitised spaces”, where force is deployed to control access to land and repel both rival operators and state authorities – stressing a need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, communities and development partners.

Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson corroborated these concerns, confirming that the presence of firearms at illegal mining sites is a reality.

“Security forces continue to retrieve weapons from galamsey sites. This must be addressed urgently, particularly as Ghana is situated within a sub-region facing rising extremist threats,” he warned.

The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Angel Lossada Torres-Quevedo.reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts at tackling illegal mining and its associated security risks.