The Minerals Commission has expressed frustration over the lack of action by police authorities in addressing illegal mining activities, particularly around the Anyinam Police Station. According to the Commission, illegal mining operations are being carried out right behind the police station, yet security forces have failed to intervene or make any arrests.
Speaking before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on Monday, October 7, 2024, Martin Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, voiced his concerns about the ongoing issue. He emphasized that all forms of mining in water bodies are illegal, yet the police have not taken any significant steps to stop these activities.
Ayisi outlined the troubling pattern of illegal miners operating under the cover of darkness. “Anybody who gets into the river bodies is involved in an illegality,” Ayisi explained. He noted that illegal miners often work at night, between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am, disappearing before dawn to avoid detection. Despite this, reports from the Minerals Commission to security agencies seem to yield no results.
Ayisi expressed frustration with the limited role the Minerals Commission can play in enforcing the law. Once the Commission reports illegal activities to the appropriate security agencies, their responsibility ends. “So, I struggle a little bit,” Ayisi said, referring to the inaction of the security forces. He cited a recent example in Konongo, where the District Officer of the Minerals Commission identified illegal mining activities near a public road.
In such cases, Ayisi explained that the District Officer’s role is to report the situation to the District Assembly, which is responsible for organizing security forces to stop the illegal activity. However, he noted that despite the numerous reports submitted by the Commission, no action has been taken, particularly regarding the mining operations behind the Anyinam Police Station.
Ayisi raised a fundamental question during his appearance before Parliament, asking why the police have not acted on the clear evidence of illegal mining. “We have reported several times that people are mining behind the Anyinam Police Station, which we have not permitted. How come the police are not taking action?” he asked.
The Minerals Commission’s dissatisfaction with the police’s response highlights the broader challenges of combating illegal mining in Ghana. Illegal mining, often referred to as “galamsey,” has been a long-standing issue in the country, affecting water bodies, degrading the environment, and causing significant economic losses. Despite government efforts to crack down on the practice, enforcement has remained a major hurdle.
Ayisi’s remarks underscore the need for more coordinated efforts between the Minerals Commission, the police, and other government agencies to tackle illegal mining effectively. The Commission’s role is primarily regulatory, ensuring that those licensed to mine comply with the law. However, when unlicensed and illegal operations are detected, it falls on the police and other security forces to take action.
The frustration expressed by Ayisi suggests that the disconnect between reporting illegal activities and actual enforcement is a critical problem. The fact that illegal mining is occurring in such close proximity to a police station, without intervention, raises concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing the issue.
The Minerals Commission is calling for a more proactive approach from the police and other security agencies to stop illegal mining, especially in water bodies. The environmental impact of these activities is significant, with river pollution and destruction of ecosystems among the many consequences. Inaction on the part of the authorities could have long-term repercussions for the country’s natural resources and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.
This situation brings to light the broader need for accountability and improved cooperation between regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies. Without effective enforcement, the efforts of the Minerals Commission and other government institutions to regulate mining activities may be undermined.
Ayisi’s call to action should serve as a wake-up call for the relevant authorities. The Ghanaian government has made numerous public commitments to address illegal mining, but without proper enforcement, these promises risk remaining unfulfilled.
For communities like those in Anyinam, the consequences of illegal mining are immediate and devastating, with polluted water sources and degraded lands impacting both health and livelihoods.
The question now is whether the police and other relevant agencies will heed the calls of the Minerals Commission and take swift action to address the ongoing illegal mining activities.
As Ayisi indicated in his remarks, the responsibility lies with the security forces to act on the information provided by the Commission and put an end to these unlawful operations.
The stakes are high, not just for the environment but for the rule of law in Ghana. If illegal mining can continue unchecked right behind a police station, it sends a troubling message about the state of enforcement in the country.
The Minerals Commission has done its part in identifying the problem and reporting it to the appropriate authorities. It is now up to the police and other security agencies to step up and fulfill their role in protecting Ghana’s natural resources and upholding the law.
