An excavator operator at an illegal mining site has released a video showing armed policemen arriving in a pickup truck, demanding what he calls “chop money” before allowing operations to continue mining.
He described this as a routine practice at the site, noting that another group of policemen had visited the day before, requesting GHS 20,000.
“We give the policemen 200 million every day to allow us to work in the field. How much does the government pay these policemen for them to call for a ban on illegal mining? They’re almost paid 2,000 to 3,000 a month,” he stated.
He further claimed that influential figures and politicians are also complicit in the illegal mining activities, questioning how a ban could realistically be enforced: “We are not stopping today or tomorrow.”
Meanwhile members of Organised Labour are set to proceed with a nationwide strike on October 10, despite President Akufo-Addo urging them to allow more time to address their concerns during a meeting on October 4.
Joshua Ansah, spokesperson for Organised Labour, stated in Accra on October 7 that they will not back down.
While the meeting was held behind closed doors, leadership maintained their commitment to the strike if the government does not act to ban illegal mining.
An excavator operator at an illegal mining site has shown a video of a group of armed policemen arriving at the site in a pickup vehicle for what he calls 'chop money' before they are allowed to continue with their activities.
He added that another group of policemen also… pic.twitter.com/GUgIAmH1F6
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) October 9, 2024
