The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has issued a strong appeal to the government and national security agencies to immediately end what it describes as the criminalization of licensed small-scale miners amid intensified anti-galamsey operations.
At a press conference held in Kumasi, the Regional Secretary of the Association, Mr. Michael Adu Gyamfi, lamented the growing trend of security officers storming legal mining concessions and treating legitimate operators as criminals, despite their strict adherence to Ghana’s mining laws.
“Enough is enough,” Mr. Adu Gyamfi declared. “The time has come for government to differentiate between those breaking the law and those obeying it. You cannot continue to treat licensed miners, who have gone through all the legal procedures, as if they are illegal galamsey operators. It is not only unjust—it is dangerous for the future of responsible mining in Ghana.”
He explained that many GNASSM members have had their operations forcibly shut down, equipment confiscated or vandalized, and workers intimidated—often without any proper investigation or verification of their legal status.
“These miners have valid licenses from the Minerals Commission and environmental permits from the EPA,” he said. “They are operating with the approval of the state, contributing to job creation, paying taxes, and developing their communities. Yet, they are being raided and branded as criminals. This is unacceptable.”
Mr. Adu Gyamfi stated that while GNASSM fully supports the government’s campaign to eradicate galamsey, it must be done with fairness, professionalism, and proper stakeholder collaboration. He warned that the current sweeping approach undermines confidence in regulatory systems and discourages miners from formalizing their operations.
“We should be encouraging more miners to legalize their work, not punishing those who have done the right thing,” he stressed. “The state must stop this blanket criminalization and instead work with us to identify the actual offenders who are destroying our environment.”
He called for a nationwide policy review to draw a clear distinction between legal and illegal mining operations. According to him, the Association is ready to work with the government to enforce the “Red Zone Policy,” which identifies restricted areas for mining and protects sensitive ecological zones.
“Our internal GNASSM taskforce is already in place to monitor our members and report bad actors,” Mr. Adu Gyamfi said. “We are committed to cleaning up our sector, but we cannot do that if our members—who are licensed and responsible—are being harassed and vilified.”
The Association also expressed frustration at the negative public narrative that continues to associate small-scale mining with environmental degradation, despite evidence that legal miners operate under strict guidelines and are held accountable by regulatory institutions.
“Let’s not forget that small-scale mining contributes significantly to Ghana’s gold production, offers livelihoods to thousands of Ghanaians, and supports many rural communities,” Mr. Adu Gyamfi noted. “It is a legitimate economic activity that deserves state protection and responsible regulation—not persecution.”
GNASSM concluded its statement by calling for calm among its members and assured them that the leadership is actively engaging with relevant authorities to address the situation. The Association called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission, and the National Security Council to convene an urgent dialogue to develop a coordinated enforcement strategy that respects the rights of licensed miners while targeting illegal operators.
“We believe in responsible mining. We believe in environmental protection. But we also believe in justice and fairness,” Mr. Adu Gyamfi concluded. “The government must stop criminalizing licensed miners and work with us to build a sustainable, well-regulated small-scale mining sector that benefits the whole nation.”
