A photo of the Blue Water Guards passing out ceremony
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASM) has revealed that some members of the Blue Water Guards and top political figures are extorting money from small-scale miners in the name of fighting illegal mining.
According to the Association, these activities are undermining efforts to stop those engaging in illegal mining activities in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the National Communications Director, Abdul Razak Alhasan, stated that GNASM members have been subjected to grave injustice, including systematic harassment and intimidation.
He noted that some elements within the law enforcement agencies, especially the Police, and politically exposed persons who run their own parallel taskforce for self-gains, are causing huge problems for the miners.
“It is a human rights and corruption concern across various mining communities in Ashanti, Western North, Upper East, Eastern, Western, and Savannah Regions, countless hardworking small-scale miners are being targeted and terrorized by those meant to protect them.
“Politically exposed persons manipulate security agencies for profit and power, undermining formal small-scale mining initiatives
“Some Police officers and other security agencies, sometimes acting under the influence or protection of powerful political figures, storm mining sites with impunity,” he noted.
Alhasan disclosed that Some Police checkpoints target miners in possession of gold and accuse them of illegal possession of gold, despite engaging in legitimate mining operations.
“Behind many of these operations are politically exposed persons – individuals who, using their influence and connections, have turned public authority into private enterprise.
“These politically exposed persons manipulate security agencies, exploit regulatory loopholes, and back illegal miners to take over licensed concessions, not for the sake of the environment or law, but for profit and power.”
He emphasised these activities undermine formal small-scale mining initiatives by the Government and the Reset Agenda.
The GNASM demands that these practices end immediately, emphasising that the exploitation and harassment of small-scale miners must stop.
