A former anti-galamsey taskforce member, Twum Ampofo-Agyekum, has noted that though the President is committed to the fight against illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, some faceless elements at the corridors of power are derailing the efforts.
According to Mr Ampofo-Agyekum, for the fight to be fruitful and achieve its intended purpose, more stringent measures must be put in place. He has, however, lauded the government’s effort and commitment against the menace.
“If we really want to fight against ‘galamsey’, we must get someone who is independent and can stand on his authority to work and not be intimidated by powerful people.
“Sometimes you start receiving calls from these powerful people even before you make an arrest. You can sometimes also seize excavators, make arrest and be ordered to release the people or insults hurled at you, but in all of this, I did not give up,” he narrated.
Mr Ampofo-Agyekum, who made the disclosure on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, expressed his commitment to supporting the government in the fight, if the Minister and relevant stakeholders reach out to him.
Bribe rejection
He also claimed that he was once offered as high as GH¢700,000 and amounts not below GHC¢500,000 just so he could compromise his role as a leader of the task force.
He explained that some illegal miners who are Ghanaian nationals were always ready to pay the bribe in cash if only he was willing.
“There is a lot of money in these ‘galamsey’ areas and if you are greedy or money-conscious, you cannot succeed. They will bring the monies in ‘Ghana Must Go’ and as soon as you take the first money, that will be your end,” he cautioned.
