The Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana has accused the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr. Sam Pyne, of engaging in illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, in forest reserves.
The concerned miners’ accusation comes after the Akufo-Addo government announced it has enhanced measures to strengthen the ongoing “Operation Halt,” led by the Ghana Armed Forces, aimed at eliminating galamsey activities in water bodies.
Speaking to Power Kasiebo on October 16, 2024, the President of the Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, revealed that instead of fighting the menace, the government has directed its taskforce to harass members of the Association who are properly licensed to carry out mining activities in specific areas.
He said persons who are connected to the government and engaging in galamsey in forest reserves like Mr. Pyne are being shielded to continue their destruction of the forests and river bodies.
Mr. Peprah said “We were told this phase of the operation will be done in conjunction with the Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana but we have not been invited ever since the team was dispatched and yet it is our members they are harassing.
“The taskforce was ordered not to enter forest reserves because NPP appointees are mining in those areas. so once they are not going into the forests which are the sources of our rivers, how do they tackle this issue that is threatening our lives?” he quizzed while describing the Operation Halt’s activities as a PR gimmick.
Peprah specifically mentioned the Kumasi Mayor, Sam Pyne, as one of the appointees destroying forest reserves in the region.
“They have shared the forest reserves for people in power to mine. A well-known NPP people, someone like Sam Pyne has been given a forest reverse to mine around the Numeriso area. And as I speak, Chinese are mining at that place,” he added.
“Some well-known NPP members are mining in forest reserves. Chinese are also involved in forest mining. Now, they have directed the soldiers not to go into the forest reserves but to the river bodies. We, the small-scale miners who have licenses, are being attacked instead.
Investigations
Recently, an investigation by The Fourth Estate into a worrying scramble for mining concessions in forest reserves indicated Mr Pyne’s company was involved in a business that threatened the existence of a forest reserve.
The investigation alleged that Mr Pyne’s company applied for a lease to mine for gold in the Oda River Forest Reserve, located in the Ashanti Region.
It was also established that records at the Minerals Commission show that the company, Sam & Gyan Limited, applied for the mining license in February 2023.
But Mr. Pyne denied engaging in illegal mining but admitted on Asempa FM that he owns a concession.
“As anyone heard that I have been involved in galamsey? Yes, I have a concession; I’m a Ghanaian,” Mr Pyne said.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
