Some chiefs in the Western Region have been cited by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to be actively involved in illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).

According to the BNI report, prominent chiefs in the Ahanta West District in the region are involved in the illegal activity.

The report said chiefs and traditional leaders in areas like Adieworsu, Jumako, Abura, Tonru and Mempeasem, are partaking in galamsey.

Also, the chief of Bokorkope in the Shama District of Western Region, Nana Issah Muni, according to the BNI report, acquired a concession from the Minerals Commission and the Shama District Assembly under the pretext of winning sand, but ended up using it for illegal mining activities.

Further, the BNI said the CEO of Bupong Construction Limited at Twifo Praso in the Central Region, Prince John Baidoo, is engaged in alluvial and illegal surface mining in Twifo Praso, Beposo, Sekyere-Krobo, Sekyere-Didieso, Basase and Sekyere-Nsuta areas of the Central and the Western Regions.

According to the report, only the Volta and Greater Accra regions do not have galamsey activities taking part there.

Apart from the chiefs and the Bupong Construction Limited CEO, the BNI’s 20-page report also cited Benson Baba Tongo, the main opposition National Democratic Congress’ Member of Parliament for Talensi in the Upper East Region (UER) for doing galamsey in the Talensi constituency.

Mr BT Baba has, however, denied the allegation. According to him, he owns a small-scale mine in the Upper East Region but activities on that concession are legal.

The BNI has also named one Bunyak Kolog, an alleged financier of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Talensi constituency, who was also reported as financing galamsey activities in the UER, while an unnamed official at the Precious Minerals Office at Bolgatanga, the regional capital of UER, was also found to be financing galamsey activities in towns such as Gbane, Blung and Datoku – all in the Talensi District.