The Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Kenneth Ashigbey, has warned that officials who collect fees from galamsey operators are breaking the law and must face sanctions.

Speaking in an interview on JoyFM’s Top Story on Tuesday, March 31, Mr Ashigbey described the collection of levies for changfan machines used in illegal mining (galamsey) as a deliberate facilitation of criminal activity.

He cited Act 995, which prohibits aiding, encouraging, or promoting illegal mining, stressing that “if you collect money from people to continue illegal mining, you are purposefully facilitating and encouraging it.”

His comments come after President Mahama, in a meeting with Civil Society Organisations, explained that preliminary government investigations revealed that some district assemblies had historically collected fees from galamsey operators as a revenue-generating measure.

The President has since directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to immediately halt the practice, warning that any defiance will attract severe sanctions.

Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that the directive follows investigations into the JoyNews “Tax for Galamsey” exposé, which uncovered how some assemblies were collecting levies from illegal miners.

Mr Ashigbey challenged attempts to justify the practice as institutionalised, arguing that historical precedent does not absolve individuals of personal responsibility.

“Just because an activity has existed for years does not make it legal. Officials who collect money from galamseyers are knowingly breaking the law, and they must be held accountable,” he said.