Investigations into alleged unofficial levies charged on illegal small-scale miners popularly referred to as galamsey in the Amansie Central District are nearing completion, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has said.
Speaking on the JoyNews programme, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the Media Relations Officer for the ministry, said the probe has advanced significantly and is expected to be wrapped up by the end of this week.
“We have come very far. The matter is yet to be thoroughly concluded, but it is far advanced now,” Mr. Schandorf said, adding that the investigative team has considered responses from the local assembly under scrutiny.
Inquiry into Alleged “Systematic Taxation”
The investigation stems from a Hotline Documentary titled “A Tax for Galamsey”, which alleged that illegal mining activities in parts of the Ashanti Region have been systematically taxed and protected by government appointees.
According to the exposé, operators of illegal mines in Amansie Central were being charged fixed “registration” fees including hundreds of Ghana cedis for changfan machines and tens of thousands for excavators in exchange for what appeared to be uninterrupted operations. The documentary further alleged that these payments were formalized with receipts and sticker identification, with proceeds deposited into official Assembly accounts.
Mr. Schandorf noted that the investigation has sought to clarify whether the charges were part of longstanding levies traditionally collected at the district level or whether they amounted to an illicit revenue-raising mechanism. He pointed out that the documentary’s undercover operatives posed as illegal miners, raising questions about enforcement and administrative conduct in the face of clear prohibitions on unauthorized mining.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
The ministry expects to publish full details of any sanctions or recommended reforms after the probe concludes later this week. Mr. Schandorf said the outcome could have implications beyond the Amansie Central District, as similar levies are reportedly applied in other jurisdictions.
The investigation comes amid wider national efforts to address illegal mining and restore environmental integrity — part of a sustained government campaign involving asset seizures, license revocations, and specialized enforcement.
As the probe draws to a close, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether officials implicated in levying and collecting these fees will face administrative or legal consequences, and what reforms will be recommended to ensure fiscal accountability in local governance.