Review and regulate anti-illegal mining taskforce to curb clashes - GNASSM to government

Clashes involving police and galamseyers, notably a recent incident which claimed one life and left another person severely injured, have been described by the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) as unfortunate and irresponsible.

The incident, which occurred at Bepotenten in the Amansie Central District, has been attributed to the unregulated nature of police patrols in mining communities, according to the District Secretary.

Michael Adu Gyamfi decried how police patrols in mining communities have become a major concern to small-scale miners in recent times, as some patrols are allegedly conducted for personal gain rather than to combat illegal mining.

He made a shocking revelation that three separate police taskforce teams could visit the same mining site in a single day for the same purpose.

Separate police patrol teams, reportedly from the regional, divisional and district police commands, are said to take undue advantage of the situation, prompting reprisal attacks from the miners.

According to Adu Gyamfi, the numerous complaints and distress calls brought to his attention by victims of this daily occurrence particularly those within the Amansie enclave compelled the District Chairman, Frank Osei and some executives to engage the Bekwai Regional Police Command on several occasions.

However, the situation remains unresolved.

Commending the structure and operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS), he suggested that a similar system be replicated within the regional police administration, even as their operations remain relevant, to promote sanity and avert further abuse.