Recent reports of state security allegedly abusing foreigners and Ghanaians during special raids by a joint task force of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ghana Military at suspected illegal mining sites in some parts of the country has elicited a strong call from the Community Rights Foundation (CRIF), a non- governmental organization on government to investigate the allegations and make public its findings and prosecute culprits.
Edward Kwasi Akuoko, executive director of the group who made the call in Accra, said in their quest to flush out illegal miners, the national task force has been accused of acting beyond their mandate and perpetuating excessive brutalities against some foreign nationals and Ghanaians alike, in addition to several accusations of thievery and stealing of finished gold and wanton destruction of equipments and other properties running into millions of dollars.
He cited the alleged burning of 12 chanfan equipments by a team of joint security forces during one such operation at Wassa-Gyapa in the western-region, the alleged assault of a chief and reported thievery of his gold around a suburb of Obuasi in Asante region (both stories were aired on Peace/ Okay fm mid-day news and Adom fm evening news respectively on Friday 5th April 2013), the alleged famous stealing, burning and destruction of gold and excavators belonging to Hansol Mining somewhere in March this year, as well as the alleged killing of a 16 year old Chinese teenager by security forces at Amansie Mpatasie also in Ashanti region on October 11th 2012, among other similar reported incidents across the country.
He described the reports as a worrying phenomenon as the task force seems to have taken undue advantage of the alleged illegality of some of such mining operations to kill, maim, steal and destroy.
Edward Akuoko therefore made a passionate and urgent appeal to government through the interior ministry and the national security coordinator’s secretariat to set up an independent committee to investigate whether or not such reports of stealing and wanton destruction did takes place during such operations, and prescribe appropriate sanctions to the perpetrating officers to prevent such occurrence in future operations.
“The fact that one individual or company is suspected of operating illegal mines is NOT a justification for such brute killings, assault, stealing and destruction of property” he stated.
Responding to reports that some of the alleged brutalities and assault are as a result of self defense following counter attacks on the security forces or resistance to arrest by the alleged illegal miners, Mr. Akuoko said the security forces should have the requisite professional training to respond effectively to such violent situation and over power such individuals for prosecution without necessarily causing lives to be lost, steal or destroy property.
Akuoko recounted that available figures have shown that since 2005 till date almost 100 Chinese nationals have been killed either through raids by security forces or by armed robbers, adding such a development is not healthy for an enhanced Ghana- China relationship.
The NGO which is a member of the national coalition on Mines (NCOM) further noted that failure on the part of government to investigate and punish the offending security officials of such killings and abuses, may not only harm the cordial diplomatic relationship between Ghana and the country of origin of the affected foreigners, but has the potential also to wane citizens’ confidence in the state security as well.
Asked what their next line of action would be should government turn a deaf ear to their call, the executive director was optimistic they will act swiftly but hasted to add that a petition to the Commission on human Rights and administrative justice (CHRAJ) is an option worth considering should the need. arise.
