Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
Concern Miners Accuse Yammin, Abanga and Colonel Tali Of Being Behind Parallel Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.
A group by name Concerned Small Scale Miners Association In Ghana (CSSMGG) have accused Yakubu Abanga and Joseph Yammin, 3rd Vice Chairperson and National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the Operations Commander of National security, Colonel Tali as being behind the parallel taskforce group which is operating illegally in mining communities across the country.
In a statement copied to this stable by the Chairman of the Concern Group, Andrew Abban noted that miners in Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso and Prestea allege that the illegal group operate with powerful backing since they wear full military outfits anytime they visit their sites.
According to the miners, the illegal taskforce keep on boasting of links to powerful men including Joseph Yammin,Yakubu Abanga and Colonel Tali as those behind them anytime they come around.
We publish in full the statement from the Concern Small Scale Mining Group In Ghana.
Date: 9th July, 2025.
Statement By Concern Small Scale Mining Group On Operations Of Parallel Anti-Galamsey Taskforce:
We, the Concern Small Scale Mining Group in Ghana (CSSMGG) by this Statement is hereby registering our utmost displeasure and disdain about the activities of some assigns in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as the National Security Office.
These assigns including military and police officers have been visiting some of our mining concessions and sites across the country to extort monies from some of our members.
More worryingly, these assigns carry sophisticated weapons in full military uniforms, ransack the sites of our members and subject them to inhuman treatment including extortion of money.
Investigations:
Our checks, since the issue gained currency, reveal that some of these assigns boast of governmental support as well as links to persons in the National Security Outfit.
Recently, in Prestea, some of our miners claimed they saw Warrant Officers Ayamba and Warrant Officer Ben (Bernard) who were operating with some officers fully attired in military colours.
Other miners claimed they spotted Sergeant Salifu Abdul and Lance Corporal Adu Richmond as well as Sergeant Kunya Akwasi and Lance Corporal Awaga Rocky in their mining sites.
These military officers, our further checks reveal were allegedly sent by one Colonel Tali who we learn is the Operations Commander at the National Security Office.
Party Executives Involvement:
Meanwhile, some of our members in the Ashanti Region also claim that their sites are tormented by these parallel group calling themselves Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.
We have information that these operatives use the names of some National Democratic Congress party executives to extort monies.
Common names that are mentioned by these parallel taskforce assigns have been Joseph Yammin, the National Organiser of the NDC and Yakubu Abanga, 3rd Vice-Chairperson of the NDC and others.
We are therefore saddened by the activities of these illegal persons since by their activities they are succeeding in forcing our members to halt their legitimate business.
Some of members, sadly have refused to go to their sites, fearing that they maybe attacked by these illegal anti-galamsey taskforce.
Questions:
We wonder why both National Security assigns are engaging in illegal enterprise and attacking miners whose livelihoods help the country to grow its economy.
We are also surprised that rather than helping us to carry out our legitimate business, some persons within the ruling NDC are aiding the activities of these unscrupulous persons posing as parallel taskforce against galamsey to destroy our businesses.
Appeal:
We hereby call on the President who has since the assumption of power shown respect for our work to act decisively to halt the activities of these parallel groups.
We also take this opportunity to commend the President for selecting for us a noble character as Minister to oversee our legitimate business.
We however call on the Minister of Lands, Hon Armah Kofi Buah to intensify efforts in streamlining activities of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce so that miners could feel safe in their sites and concessions
We are hopeful that bringing these issues to the public domain, the President would tackle our concerns and together with the Minister of Lands work to address same.
Signed:
Chairman Andrew Abban, Leader of the Concern Small Scale Miners In Ghana Group.
(0244-254-238)
Denial:
Meanwhile, some media portals including Rawgist.com carries a straightforward denial from Joseph Yammin.
Mr. Joseph Yammin said he has never engaged in mining.
He also denied sanctioning anyone or group of persons to operate as taskforce against galamsey.
The National Organiser therefore asked national security officials to arrest and prosecute any group or persons who ho about using his name to terrorise or extort money from licensed and legitimate mining companies.
“I would be the last to sanction the activities of any illegal taskforce or group but rather I have been diligent in reporting persons who are engaged in illegal activities including mining to tbe appropriate quarters with the recent being an illegal activity of a person in the Eastern Region”, Mr. Yammin stated.
Furthermore, Mr. Yammin urged miners to arrest anyone who comes around to use his name to extort money, peddle influence or to misconduct themselves so that the law can deal with them.
3rd Vice-Chairperson:
On his part, Mr Yakubu Abanga, the 3rd Vice Chairperson of the NDC denied meddling in the affairs of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce or operating or sponsoring any group to undertake any illegal activity.
Mr. Abanga told this reporter that he was a miner of several years record and currently owned concessions in Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana as well as sites in Cote D’Ivoire.
He also revealed that he has concessions whose issues were in court since they were taken away from him during the Akufo-Addo administration.
“I am a private businessman and a licensed miner and will never sanction, support or involve myself in any enterprise that would undermine my own government and the state’s commitment in fighting illegal mining”, Mr. Abanga stated.
Background
Following the activities of some illegal persons, the Lands Minister launched Anti-Galamsey Office to coordinate all miming activities including that of the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.
The Minister is working with the Office to disband and disarm the parallel anti-galamsey taskforce.
The illegal group, the Minister stated were currently operating against the interests of miners.
The parallel group are alleged to be carrying out extortions anytime they visit sites and concessions of small scale miners. END
