The thriving illegal mining industry in the border community of Sapelliga poses a significant threat to the environment and Ghana’s international boundary with Burkina Faso. Despite the dangers, scores of young people engage in mining activities daily.
Concerned about the potential exploitation of the situation by terrorists, the Ghana Boundary Commission and the Upper East Regional Security Council have taken action to address the issue. Upper East Regional Minister and Head of REGSEC, Hafiz Bin Saleh, urged the illegal miners to cease their activities immediately and vacate the area.
“There are insurgents and terrorists who want to infiltrate our country and fund their nefarious activities. We must stop issues of this nature to prevent funding their activities. We are enjoying peace, and we must appreciate it. We won’t allow individual or group interests to affect the peace Ghana is enjoying,” he said.
One of the illegal miners, Abille Fatawu, uses the money from galamsey to fund his education. “I started this work in SHS 1… when I vacate, I come here and work. When I get some money, I use it to help with my education.” He is currently at the tertiary level and remains committed to this mining job as his source of funding.
Commissioner-General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Maj Gen Emmanuel Kotia, stated that the activities of the illegal miners continue to pose a serious threat to the international boundary line between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Some of the country’s boundary pillars have been destroyed, which could lead to territorial disagreements.
“Some of these activities lead to the removal of international boundary pillars. There is no clarity on the markings of the boundary, and with a sizable number of people coming from Burkina Faso to do illegal activities here, if we don’t take care, some of our territories can be taken or declared part of Burkina Faso. That’s why we have decided to facilitate the construction of patrol routes,” Maj Gen Kotia explained.
