Civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised alarm over reports that violent extremist groups from Burkina Faso are exchanging firearms for gold in mining communities across the Upper East Region of Ghana, particularly in Bawku West and Talensi districts. The trade is believed to be fueling insecurity and cross-border criminal activity in the area.
The illicit exchanges, which are said to have been underway since last year, reportedly occur in mining zones such as Teshie, Widnaba, Zongoyire, Tilli, and Sapeliga (Bawku West), and Gbane and Datuku (Talensi). Extremists are alleged to exploit the porous border to trade guns obtained from their operations for gold from local miners.
Sources say the miners, in turn, use weapons acquired through these trades to defend illegal mining concessions, fend off rival groups, and resolve disputes—worsening violence and aggravating existing tensions in the Bawku conflict.
CSOs Issue Public Alert
At a stakeholder workshop held in Tamale, the Northern Ghana CSOs Platform on Natural Resources sounded the alarm. The workshop, attended by 50 representatives from CSOs, media, state agencies, and communities, focused on topics such as sustainable resource management, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP).
Facilitated by TAMA Foundation Universal with support from the Ford Foundation, the forum concluded with a communique demanding urgent government intervention.
In her address, Alima Sagito Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA Ghana, urged the Ministries of Interior and Defence, and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) to investigate these claims actively and take decisive action in affected mining areas.
“According to our sources, some Burkinabè Community Defence Group members cross into Ghana carrying arms and exchange them for gold from miners and concession holders,” she stated.
The group called for increased surveillance in mining communities, a crackdown on illegal small-scale mining, and enhanced cross-border cooperation to prevent extremist exploitation of Ghana’s mineral wealth.
Violations Confirmed & Response Efforts
Local sources in the Upper East Region have backed these claims. According to a source interviewed by the Daily Graphic, some weapons seized during recent police operations bore Burkina Faso registration numbers, confirming possible cross-border arms smuggling.
Security forces have since intensified monitoring along border mining zones to counter the trend. However, when approached for comment, Paul Danka, Upper East Regional Security Liaison Officer, said he had not yet been officially briefed on the matter. He acknowledged that the porous borders make weapon smuggling plausible.
Calls for Transparency & Preventive Measures
Dr. Chrys Anab, Executive Director of TAMA Foundation Universal, emphasized that northern Ghana’s natural resource richness must not become a source of conflict. He warned that future conflicts will likely be over natural resources if proactive steps are not taken.
To combat this, Dr. Anab urged that mining licenses issued by the Minerals Commission be published in national newspapers and publicly displayed on district/Municipal Assembly notice boards—a move that would promote accountability and empower local communities and CSOs to monitor mining activities.
Meanwhile, Stephen Azantilow, Director of Anti-Corruption at CHRAJ, disclosed that the Commission is developing a national action plan on business and human rights to strengthen oversight over business practices that may infringe on public and labor rights.
