Members of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners, operating in Manso-Watreso and other communities within the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, have publicly raised serious allegations against police officers from the Bekwai Division, who fall under the Ashanti South Regional Police Command.
Allegations of Extortion and Misconduct
In a formal statement, the miners claim that police officers regularly visit their mining sites and conduct operations during which they allegedly extort money from the miners without justification.
- Difficulty Identifying Officers: Some affected miners further allege that the police officers often remove the number plates from the vehicles used during these operations, making it impossible to properly identify the personnel or authenticate the nature of the operations.
- Worsening Situation: The miners stated that they lodged an official complaint with the Ashanti South Regional Commander, who assured them he would address the issue. However, they report that the situation has only worsened since the complaint was filed.
Call for Intervention
Condemning the actions as constant harassment, the miners are calling on high-level authorities to intervene immediately to prevent potential future unrest. They specifically urged action from:
- The Minister of the Interior
- The Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
- The Ashanti Regional Minister
- The Amansie West, South, and Central District Security Councils (DISECs)
Commitment to Law and Compliance
The miners emphasized that while they have tolerated the alleged police misconduct for a significant period, they will now use appropriate legal and official channels to ensure their concerns are addressed as law-abiding citizens.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting regulatory efforts by continuing to sensitize their members to adhere to the recent review of anti-illegal mining operations, which prohibits:
- Mining in forest reserves.
- Mining along river bodies and roadsides.
- The involvement of foreigners in illegal mining activities.
