In the wake of increasing concerns about illegal mining activities, criminologist Dr. Jones Opoku Ware has raised alarms about the growing trend of illegal miners acquiring sophisticated weapons to protect their operations. He warned that this could lead to far-reaching security consequences, potentially threatening the stability of the state and government institutions.
Dr. Ware in response to the violent attack on journalist Erastus Asare Donko and his crew by armed men in a mining site near Asumenya, in the Ashanti Region.
His analysis highlighted the dangerous intersection of illegal mining, arms trafficking, and organized crime, drawing comparisons with historical examples from West Africa.
Dr. Ware expressed deep concern over the increasing use of funds generated from illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey,” to purchase weapons. These weapons are being used to protect resource-rich sites controlled by criminal syndicates.
“This is something all of us have been talking about over the period, but for me, from my background as a criminologist and someone who studies a lot of security [issues]… I foresee something reminiscent of what happened within the Sierra Leonean context some years ago. That ignited the kind of civil war that they had.”
Dr. Jones Opoku Ware Criminologist
He pointed to the example of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone, a rebel group that used proceeds from diamond mining to fuel the brutal civil war that ravaged the country.
The RUF, with support from Charles Taylor in Liberia, seized control of diamond-rich areas, using the profits to finance their rebellion against the Sierra Leonean government. Dr. Ware emphasized the similarities between that situation and the current trend of illegal mining gangs in Ghana acquiring dangerous weapons.
Illegal Mining and Organized Crime
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some partners from outside, where we are trying to track the movement of guns and weapons within these galamsey sites and the commission of very serious organized crime [inside these areas], especially [given that] terrorists have been trying to infiltrate these sites and use the proceeds to fuel their activities.”
Dr. Jones Opoku Ware Criminologist
This development is especially concerning because it involves highly organized networks of criminals, potentially with ties to terrorist groups operating in West Africa. These groups see the lucrative profits from illegal mining as a means to finance their operations and expand their influence.
Rising Threat of Armed Conflict
Dr. Ware also cautioned that if this issue is not addressed quickly, the country could face a situation where these armed groups become powerful.
“These guys are going into these sites and having access to very serious weapons. As to how these weapons get into these sites, only God knows. And they are using that to protect these resources. If we are not able to nip this in the bud, there could come a time when these groups will become frustrated and then decide to stand against whoever is in charge of the state and is not alowimg them to do whatever they want to do, they acrually have the potency to actaully stand against that governmernt and even tople it up.”
Dr. Jones Opoku Ware Criminologist
He drew attention to the potential for these armed groups to evolve into rebel forces, capable of challenging the state’s authority. In such a scenario, Ghana could face a conflict similar to those seen in other parts of West Africa, where resource-rich areas have been the battlegrounds for insurgent groups.
Implications for Current and Future Governments
“It is not just about this current government, but even future governments. This government, as it is, should be very worried. Even if they manage to remain in power after the election, if this situation persists, it is actaully something that is a threat to their very survival as a government.”
Dr. Jones Opoku Ware Criminologist
Dr. Ware emphasized that the weapons controlled by these groups are sophisticated and powerful, and should they decide to revolt it would be catastrophic.
“I’m telling you that if there is any point in time these groups decide to rise up against the state security and the state apparatus, am trying to tell you this these guys would be able to match these people boot for boot, and am telling you our government would be in serious trouble.”
Dr. Jones Opoku Ware Criminologist
Urgent Action Needed
Dr. Ware’s stark warning served as a call to action for the government and security agencies to take immediate steps to address the threat posed by armed illegal mining gangs.
The current situation, if left unchecked, could spiral into an armed rebellion, destabilizing the nation and threatening its democratic institutions.
The criminologist’s comparison to the civil war in Sierra Leone offers a sobering reminder of the consequences of allowing criminal elements to take control of valuable resources and use them to fuel armed conflict.
The challenge is immense, but as Dr. Ware points out, the alternative is far worse—a nation held hostage by violent criminal elements determined to protect their illegal operations at all costs.
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