The Minerals Commission has dismissed allegations linking its Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Dela Edem, to illegal mining activities, describing the claims as false, defamatory and intended to mislead the public.
In a statement issued in June 2026, Mr Edem denied reports suggesting he was involved in illegal mining operations, insisting that his presence at a mining site in the Jomoro district was strictly in the line of official duty.
According to the statement, Mr Edem was part of a joint team comprising officials from rCOMSDEP, the Minerals Commission and National Security that visited the district on June 6, 2026, to launch a Cooperative Mining Programme aimed at promoting responsible and lawful mining practices.
The statement explained that during the visit to Ghana Nungua Apatase, members of the team encountered a group of aggrieved youth protesting against an individual accused of impersonating officials of rCOMSDEP and the Minerals Commission.
The suspect was alleged to have erected unauthorised banners bearing the names of the two institutions while carrying out illegal mining activities near a river in the area.
Mr Edem stated that the team immediately worked with National Security operatives and the Ghana Police Service to address the situation and halt the unlawful activities.
“This is not true. I was on official duty as part of a joint team from rCOMSDEP, the Minerals Commission and National Security. I was not involved in any illegal activity,” he said.
According to the statement, equipment being used at the illegal mining site was seized during the operation as part of efforts to enforce mining regulations and protect the environment from further degradation.
The Minerals Commission and rCOMSDEP also condemned the alleged misuse of their names by individuals seeking to legitimise illegal mining activities.
The institutions reaffirmed their commitment to promoting responsible and legal mining and pledged to continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat illegal mining across the country.
Mr Edem further urged the public and media organisations to verify information before publishing or sharing allegations, warning that misinformation could damage reputations and undermine ongoing efforts to regulate the mining sector.
He also disclosed that legal action would be taken against individuals responsible for publishing and circulating the claims.
