Ing. Ken Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has accused some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) of collecting fees from illegal miners. This practice effectively facilitates galamsey, which is illegal mining, and undermines national efforts to stop it.
This accusation follows a JoyNews investigative documentary titled 'A Tax for Galamsey: The Extortion Racket Fuelling Illegal Mining'. The documentary exposed allegations that a district assembly in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region collected payments from operators of prohibited mining equipment. These payments were reportedly formalised through stickers and receipts, creating a parallel taxation system for illegal mining activities.
The alleged collection of fees by local authorities fits into a broader pattern of challenges in Ghana's fight against illegal mining. Despite significant government investment and policy interventions, galamsey continues to degrade the environment and pollute water bodies. This situation highlights a critical disconnect between national policy and local enforcement, eroding public trust in institutions mandated to protect communities and natural resources. Previous government efforts, including Operation Vanguard and the Community Mining Scheme, have struggled to fully curb the menace.
Ing. Ashigbey stated that officials who knowingly facilitate illegal mining could face legal action under Ghana’s mining laws. He explained that the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), criminalises not only unauthorised mining but also acts that aid or promote such illegal activities. This legal framework provides a basis for prosecuting those who enable galamsey through fee collection.
The implications of these allegations are significant for governance and the rule of law in Ghana. If MMDAs continue to collect fees from illegal miners, it sends a message that unlawful activities can be legitimised through payment. This could further entrench illegal mining and make it harder to enforce environmental protection laws. Decision-makers must ensure strict compliance with the government's directive to stop these collections. The public will be watching for concrete actions against implicated officials and for a clear demonstration of commitment to the anti-galamsey fight.
The JoyNews investigation found that operators of changfan machines were allegedly charged about GHS 6,000 annually. Operators using excavators were also subjected to payments in exchange for continued illegal operation. These revelations triggered widespread calls for investigations, prompting the government to direct relevant authorities to examine the allegations. The Lands Ministry confirmed it had taken notice of the documentary and would investigate the conduct of implicated officials.
Ing. Ashigbey further alleged that some assemblies charged miners for using equipment that the government had explicitly prohibited. He questioned why no decisive action had been taken against municipal and district authorities involved in collecting money from unlawful mining operators. He stressed that issuing receipts or collecting officially sanctioned fees cannot legitimise an illegal activity. The absence of required environmental permits automatically renders these operations illegal.
President John Dramani Mahama, speaking in March 2026, confirmed that the JoyNews exposé had uncovered a practice not confined to one district. He indicated that investigations suggested several districts in gold-mining areas were engaging in similar revenue-collection practices. The President subsequently directed assemblies to stop taxing changfan machines and other equipment associated with illegal mining. He stressed that internally generated revenue must not be derived from unlawful activities. The government also warned MMDCEs to immediately cease taxing illegal miners, cautioning that non-compliant officials could face sanctions. This strong government stance underscores the seriousness of Ing. Ashigbey’s concerns regarding local authorities' role in the galamsey fight. Authorities must confront this issue decisively to protect Ghana's natural resources and uphold the rule of law.