Small-Scale Miners Demand Probe Into $200 Million Anti-Galamsey Expenditure
The National Concerned Association of Small-Scale Miners (NCASSM) has called for an independent investigation into the use of over $200 million allocated to combat illegal mining between 2017 and 2024, citing concerns over financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.
The Government received funding from the World Bank and other international partners to curb illegal mining, yet questions have emerged regarding how these resources were utilized, particularly in the procurement of vehicles, drones, and GPS tracking devices.
Speaking to Citi News, NCASSM President Michael Kwadwo Peprah urged the government to set up an independent audit committee to scrutinize the expenditure and hold accountable those responsible for any irregularities.
“Since 2017, over $200 million has been allocated to fight this canker, yet these funds have been mismanaged. Over 50 pickups were purchased for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), but as we speak, these vehicles cannot be found,” Peprah stated.
He further alleged that $2 million was spent on drones that are now unaccounted for, adding that some individuals have enriched themselves under the pretext of fighting illegal mining.
“We cannot even say for a fact that the fight against illegal mining has been a success. We are calling on the government to initiate a probe into how these funds were spent. If anyone is found culpable, they must be held responsible,” he added.
Beyond the financial concerns, NCASSM also urged the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources to seek expert advice to effectively address the small-scale mining sector’s challenges. Peprah stressed the need for collaboration with industry experts to develop sustainable solutions.
“He should align himself with technocrats who understand the small-scale mining sector so that we can collectively resolve these issues. Gold remains a critical economic asset, and if we don’t understand the root causes of galamsey, we will fail in our attempts to address it,” he said.
The allegations raise fresh concerns about transparency in Ghana’s anti-illegal mining efforts, with pressure mounting on the government to account for the substantial resources allocated to tackling galamsey.
