The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has accused law enforcement agencies and politically connected individuals of harassing, intimidating, and extorting licensed small-scale miners, undermining efforts to formalize the sector.
At a press conference in Kumasi on July 16, 2025, GNASSM’s National Communications Director, Abdul-Razak Alhassan, condemned the actions, alleging that security operatives, influenced by powerful political figures, invade legal mining sites, seize equipment like excavators, and demand bribes for their release.
“We’ve had enough of these injustices,” Alhassan declared, demanding an immediate end to the harassment and the return of confiscated machinery.
GNASSM emphasized that these actions contradict the government’s push to expand small-scale mining, which contributed $1.7 billion to Ghana’s economy in the first half of 2024, accounting for 36% of total gold export revenue, according to the Minerals Commission.
The association proposed stronger protections for licensed miners, including clear protocols for police operations, and suggested engaging illegal miners to formalize their activities rather than targeting all miners indiscriminately.
GNASSM President Kwaku Armah urged collaboration with the government to develop a plan that supports sustainable mining while minimizing environmental impact. “Together, we can ensure small-scale mining contributes to economic growth,” he said.
The association also alleged that top government officials and security operatives have seized legally acquired concessions and handed them to illegal Chinese miners, further exacerbating tensions.
With the government aiming to double small-scale gold output, GNASSM warned that ongoing harassment could escalate tensions, threatening peace and productivity in mining communities.
