Government has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to immediately stop the practice of taxing illegal miners, warning that any official who defies the order will face severe sanctions.

The directive, according to Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, follows investigations into the JoyNews “Tax for Galamsey” exposé, which uncovered how some district assemblies were collecting levies from operators of changfan machines used in illegal mining.

Speaking on the matter, the minister said President John Mahama has ordered all assemblies in mining areas to halt the practice while the government completes its probe into the revelations.

“What is required is an administrative directive for an end to be put to that practice. Indeed, that directive has gone.

“All those districts involved must put an immediate end to that practice. This is effective immediately and it will be enforced.”

He explained that preliminary findings from the government’s inquiry indicate that the practice of taxing changfan machines has existed for years and was adopted by several district assemblies as a way of generating revenue.

“Our investigation revealed that it’s a widespread practice put in place long before this government came into power”.

According to him, the District Chief Executive for Amansie Central District, Emmanuel Obeng Agyeman, will not be sanctioned for the practice because it has become an established convention used by assemblies to raise funds.

However, Mr. Ofosu Kwakye stressed that the situation has now changed following the President’s directive.

“From this moment, any MMDCE who continues to tax illegal mining operations after this caution will face severe sanctions,” he warned.

He further disclosed that the government will soon organize an orientation programme for all MMDCEs to guide them on lawful ways of generating revenue without engaging in practices that encourage illegality.

The directive forms part of broader efforts by the government to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s forests and water bodies.