Members of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners at Manso-Watreso and other communities in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region are alleging harassment and extortion by police officers from Bekwai under the Ashanti South Regional Police Command.
The miners in a statement alleged that officers from the command regularly visit sites belonging to members of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association to carry out operations, and, in the process, allegedly collect money from miners without justification.
Some affected miners claim the officers often remove the number plates of the vehicles they use during these operations, making it difficult to properly identify them or authenticate the operations.
The miners have condemned what they describe as constant harassment by the police and are calling on the Minister of the Interior, the Inspector-General of Police, the Ashanti Regional Minister, as well as the Amansie West, South, and Central District Security Councils to intervene to avert any unforeseen incidents in the future.
They indicated that an official complaint has been lodged with the Ashanti South Regional Commander, who assured them he would call his men to order; however, they say the situation has since worsened.
The miners warned that although they have tolerated the actions of the police officers for a long time, as law-abiding citizens, they will use the appropriate means to ensure their concerns are addressed.
The miners also said they will continue to sensitise their members to adhere to the recent review of anti-illegal mining operations as directed by the President and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, which prohibits mining in forest reserves, along river bodies and roadsides, and the involvement of foreigners in illegal mining activities.
Source: Bismarck Mensah
