By: The independent Ghana

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has exposed shocking activities by government officials amid calls to ban all forms of small-scale mining in Ghana.

He argues that the very officials expected to combat illegal mining are instead “shockingly and defiantly directly incorporating more mining companies and obtaining fresh licenses to mine gold.”

Ablakwa in a post on X platform specifically highlighted the actions of the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Mpohor, Hon. Ignatius Asaah Mensah, who registered a sole proprietorship named JKcem Mining on October 18, 2023. The DCE applied for a gold mining license just a month later, on November 17, 2023, which was swiftly approved by the Minerals Commission and the Lands Minister.

“His license code is: SSML-T2 12/2024,” Ablakwa noted, revealing that the license allows him to commence mining within the Odumase-K9/Mpohor concession starting August 9, 2024, an area that falls under his jurisdiction as DCE.

Additionally, Ablakwa mentioned the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Amenfi East, Hon. Frederick Korankye, who registered Kofreze Construction and Engineering Limited in 2017. On January 17, 2023, Korankye applied for a gold mining license, which was approved on March 21, 2024, allowing him to mine in Wassa Amenfi East where he serves as MCE.

Ablakwa expressed concern that “the heads of the metropolitan, municipal, and district security councils” who are supposed to enforce a ban on small-scale mining are themselves “active participants in the killer enterprise.”

He emphasized that “there has been no real fight by government against irresponsible mining,” attributing the lack of action to the complicity of officials who are benefitting financially from the mining activities.

He stated, “When NPP politicians claim they fear they will lose parliamentary seats, know that is a diversion. The real fear is about the money they will lose as direct beneficiaries.”

The lawmaker criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for allowing local government officials to engage in small-scale mining, arguing that “if the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government were serious about confronting the galamsey menace, none of their MMDCEs would be allowed to actively engage in small-scale mining, no matter what justification they may create.”

In a further condemnation of the government, Ablakwa pointed out that on October 3, 2024, while President Akufo-Addo was meeting with leaders of Organized Labour to dissuade them from an anti-galamsey strike, his administration approved “11 new mining licenses with an October 3, 2024 mining start date.”

He added that the same day saw the reckless approval of 12 additional mining licenses in September.

“The approval of new licenses should have been suspended as we collectively figure out how to deal with the current existential threat,” Ablakwa declared, highlighting the apparent disregard for public welfare in the face of ongoing environmental degradation and human rights violations.

He urged Organized Labour to maintain their resolve, stating, “These traumatizing latest developments should strengthen the resolve of Organized Labour not to back down until their demands are met.”