Some members of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners at Manso-Watreso and nearby communities in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have called for an immediate investigation into alleged harassment and extortion by police officers operating from Bekwai.
In a statement, the miners accused officers from the Ashanti South Regional Police Command of repeatedly visiting mining sites owned by their members under the guise of operations and allegedly demanding money without justification.
According to the group, some of the officers are said to conceal the number plates of the vehicles used during such operations to disguise their identity. “These actions have created fear and frustration among our members, who are only trying to earn a living lawfully,” the statement said.
The miners claim that despite lodging formal complaints with the regional police command and receiving assurances that the conduct would stop, the situation has rather deteriorated. They say the alleged actions have persisted and intensified in recent weeks.
While insisting they are law-abiding citizens, the group warned that their patience is wearing thin. They said they would continue to rely on the appropriate legal and administrative channels to ensure their concerns are addressed.
The miners have therefore appealed to the Minister for the Interior, the Inspector-General of Police, the Ashanti Regional Minister, and the District Security Councils of Amansie West, South and Central to intervene urgently to prevent any possible escalation.
At the same time, the group said it remains committed to responsible mining practices and will continue to educate its members on the revised anti-illegal mining directives. These include the prohibition of mining in forest reserves, along river bodies and roadsides, as well as banning the involvement of foreigners in illegal mining activities.
The allegations add to ongoing national debates around small-scale mining, law enforcement conduct and the broader fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana.