MCEs collecting fees from galamseyers are facilitating illegality – Ken Ashigbey
Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ing. Ken Ashigbey, has accused some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) of facilitating illegal mining by collecting fees and charges from persons engaged in galamsey.
Ken Ashigbey, head of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has accused certain Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) of enabling illegal mining by charging fees to those engaged in such activities. Ashigbey questioned the dedication of local governments to combating illegal mining when they are accused of profiting from unlawful activities.
He warned that officials who knowingly aid such actions could face penalties under Ghana's mining laws, which criminalize aiding or promoting unlawful mining. Ashigbey's comments come after JoyNews' documentary revealed that a district assembly in Ashanti Region was collecting payments from equipment operators involved in prohibited mining.
The report alleged that operators of specific mining machinery were charged between GH¢6,000 and GH¢14,000 annually for the right to continue operating. This practice was likened to a parallel taxation system for illegal mining. The government has committed to investigating the allegations, with the Lands Ministry taking notice of the investigation.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
