Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator Clarifies Alleged Takeover Of Akatakyieso Mining Site

The Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd.) John Kwame Jabari, has dismissed claims that National Security operatives have taken over and are illegally operating a licensed underground small-scale mine in Akatakyieso, Adansi North District.

His clarification follows a viral Facebook post by broadcast journalist Erastus Asare-Donkor questioning the role of National Security at the mining site.

Erastus Asare-Donkor stated, “Why would National Security take over a licensed, organized underground small-scale mine, drive away the workers, and ask people with pump-action guns to mine the facility? Ashanti Regional Security Liaison, Capt. Rtd. Mohammed Gyabari, tells me he was asked by his bosses in Accra to secure the mine. His boss in charge of operations says he has given no such order. What’s going on? National Security drove out the owner and workers of the mine at Akatakyieso in the Adansi North District, put men armed with pump-action guns there, illegally started the private equipment, and have been operating the licensed private underground mine for four days now. Who are they mining for? This is the mine that recently won the admiration of a government committee on mining for its organized mining.”

Speaking to EIB’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Isaac Justice Bediako, Captain Jabari provided detailed information about National Security operations in the area, categorizing them into three distinct sites within the Akatakyieso enclave.

According to Captain Jabari, the Chinese mining site referred to in Donkor’s post is not currently occupied by National Security personnel. However, operatives were previously deployed there as part of a routine anti-illegal mining (galamsey) operation. Several Chinese nationals were arrested and handed over to the Immigration Service. Subsequent checks by the Immigration Service confirmed that the individuals had valid work permits, leading to their release.

The underground mining site at the center of the controversy was originally operated by the late Mr. Rasak. After the 2016 general elections, a man known as Kwabena Macho allegedly took over the site, claiming political backing. Since then, the site has been under the control of local actors.

Captain Jabari clarified that National Security operatives are currently not mining at the location but are securing it following its closure. He added that their activities, such as pumping water out of the underground site after rainfall, are standard procedures to maintain access, not signs of active mining.

Furthermore, he stressed that the operatives requested legal documents from the current site operators, but those efforts proved futile as no licenses were presented.

The third operation site, an open area in Akatakyieso, had become a hotspot for illegal mining and environmental degradation. National Security successfully evacuated hundreds of illegal miners and halted further destruction to local forests and water bodies.

Captain Jabari labeled the claims that National Security had seized and was operating the mines as “pure fabrications backed by no evidence.”

Erastus Asare-Donkor had earlier questioned, via Facebook, why National Security operatives would take over a licensed mine, drive away workers, and allow individuals with pump-action guns to operate machinery on-site.

He claimed the site had been operating legally and was recently commended by a government mining committee. Donkor also cited conflicting statements from security officials, claiming that while the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison, Captain (Rtd.) Mohammed Gyabari, said the action was ordered from Accra, the supposed superior in charge of operations denied issuing such directives.

Further complicating the matter is the background of the Akatakyieso concession itself. The concession was reportedly part of the 60% of AngloGold Ashanti’s (AGA) territory ceded to host communities to encourage legal artisanal mining and prevent illegal operations within AGA’s active areas.

However, sources claim that the previous government handed over the community mining scheme to political allies, who then partnered with Chinese nationals, contrary to the intended purpose of benefiting indigenous miners.

The current government has since announced the annulment of the community mining scheme at the site, citing rampant abuse and deviation from its original intent.

Credit: ghanaweb.com