A group by name Concerned Small Scale Miners Association In Ghana (CSSMGG) have accused Yakubu Abanga and Joseph Yamin, 3rd Vice Chairperson and National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the Operations Commander of National security, Colonel Tali as being behind the parallel taskforce group which is operating illegally in mining communities across the country.
In a statement copied to this stable by the Chairman of the Concern Group, Andrew Abban noted that miners in Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso and Prestea allege that the illegal group operate with powerful backing since they wear full military outfits anytime they visit their sites.
According to the miners, the illegal taskforce keep on boasting of links to powerful men including Joseph Yamin,Yakubu Abanga and Colonel Tali as those behind them anytime they come around.
We publish in full the statement from the Concern Small Scale Mining Group In Ghana.
Date: 9th July, 2025.
Statement By Concern Small Scale Mining Group On Operations Of Parallel Anti-Galamsey Taskforce:
We, the Concern Small Scale Mining Group in Ghana (CSSMGG) by this Statement is hereby registering our utmost displeasure and disdain about the activities of some assigns in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the National Security Office.
These assigns including military and police officers have been visiting some of our mining concessions and sites across the country to extort monies from some of our members.
More worryingly, these assigns carry sophisticated weapons in full military uniforms, ransack the sites of our members and subject them to inhuman treatment including extortion of money.
Investigations:
Our checks, since the issue gained currency, reveal that some of these assigns boast of governmental support as well as links to persons in the National Security Outfit.
Recently, in Prestea, some of our miners claimed they saw Warrant Officers Ayamba and Warrant Officer Ben (Bernard) who were operating with some officers fully attired in military colours.
Other miners claimed they spotted Sergeant Salifu Abdul and Lance Corporal Adu Richmond as well as
Sergeant Kunya Akwasi and
Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky in their mining sites.
These military officers, our further checks reveal were allegedly sent by one Colonel Tali who we learn is the Operations Commander at the National Security Office.
Party Executives Involvement:
Meanwhile, some of our members in the Ashanti Region also claim that their sites are tormented by these parallel group calling themselves Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.
We have information that these operatives use the names of some National Democratic Congress party executives to extort monies.
Common names that are mentioned by these parallel taskforce assigns have been Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the NDC and Yakubu Abanga, 3rd Vice-Chairperson of the NDC and others.
We are therefore saddened by the activities of these illegal persons since by their activities they are succeeding in forcing our members to halt their legitimate business.
Some of members, sadly have refused to go to their sites, fearing that they maybe attacked by these illegal anti-galamsey taskforce.
Questions:
We wonder why both National Security assigns are engaging in illegal enterprise and attacking miners whose livelihoods help the country to grow its economy.
We are also surprised that rather than helping us to carry out our legitimate business, some persons within the ruling NDC are aiding the activities of these unscrupulous persons posing as parallel taskforce against galamsey to destroy our businesses.
Appeal:
We hereby call on the President who has since the assumption of power shown respect for our work to act decisively to halt the activities of these parallel groups.
We also take this opportunity to commend the President for selecting for us a noble character as Minister to oversee our legitimate business.
We however call on the Minister of Lands, Hon Armah Kofi Buah to intensify efforts in streamlining activities of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce so that miners could feel safe in their sites and concessions
We are hopeful that bringing these issues to the public domain, the President would tackle our concerns and together with the Minister of Lands work to address same.
Signed:
Chairman Andrew Abban, Leader of the Concern Small Scale Miners In Ghana Group.
(0244-254-238)
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
