Coordinator for the Movement for Justice and Equal Rights, Alhaji Ben Ali Seaman, has highlighted concerns over the impact of security forces’ actions on small-scale mining operations in Ghana.
Alhaji Ben Ali Seaman claims that while the NPP government supports lawful and sustainable small-scale mining, the current approach of security forces poses significant challenges.
He pointed out serious environmental issues associated with unregulated mining activities, including water contamination, land degradation, and air pollution.
Alhaji Ben Ali Seaman underscored that while regulation is essential, the methods employed by security forces have led to fatalities and injuries among small-scale miners, adversely affecting community relations.
“Security forces both at the national level and the local level have also been linked to the operations of small scale mining in Ghana. So far, there is no reliable record of a National Security effort that has successfully eliminated this problem of informal mining. The National Security deployment has resulted in fatalities and injuries to small-scale miners.”
“The National Security strategy in suppressing small-scale miners in Western North is a direct threat to the NPP government. A group of National Security personnel are seen driving in a mining site to demand huge sums of money from small-scale miners and some of them are even stealing fuel at the mining site.”
He expressed concern that such actions could jeopardize the NPP’s electoral prospects, recalling similar challenges faced during the 2020 general elections.
“This behaviour by the Security forces almost caused our defeat in 2020 general elections in mining areas. This year is an election year, NPP cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes that almost caused our defeat.”
“The so-called National Security Officers operating in small scale mining sites must be called to order. The National Executives of the New Patriotic Party must act now and stop the unnecessary attacks on small-scale miners by the Security forces.”
He called for accountability among security officers involved in small-scale mining operations and urged for measures to restore trust and support within affected communities.
Below is the full release by Alhaji Ben Ali Seaman
Press Release from the Coordinator for Movement for Justice and Equal Right, Professor Alhaji Ben Ali Seaman.
The Press, Nananom, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to take this great opportunity to set the record straight. Associated with the extensive operations of small scale mining are serious environmental problems due to excessive contamination of water bodies, land degradation and dust pollution of the atmosphere. For the avoidance of doubt,NPP government is not against lawful, regulated and sustainable small scale mining.
Ladies and gentlemen, security forces both at the national level and the local level have also been linked to the operations of small scale mining in Ghana. So far, there is no reliable record of a National Security effort that has successfully eliminated this problem of informal mining. The National Security deployment has resulted in fatalities and injuries to small-scale miners.
Ladies and gentlemen, the National Security strategy in suppressing small-scale miners in Western North is a direct threat to the NPP government. A group of National Security personnel are seen driving in a mining site to demand huge sums of money from small-scale miners and some of them are even stealing fuel at the mining site.
This behavior by the Security forces almost caused our defeat in 2020 general elections in mining areas. This year is an election year, NPP cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes that almost caused our defeat. The so-called National Security Officers operating in small scale mining sites must be called to order. The National Executives of the New Patriotic Party must act now and stop the unnecessary attacks on small-scale miners by the Security forces.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, recognizing the efforts of diverse individuals who contributed to a political party to gain power, should be balanced and well measured to pay for all efforts that were made. Let’s make sure the right thing is done at all levels and make Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, the next president of Ghana.
May the Almighty Allah bless NPP government.
By Professor Alhaji Ben Ali Seaman,
Western North Region.
