Four Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) have called on the Ghana Police Service to take urgent action against alleged intimidation and coercion in communities affected by illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.
A Rocha Ghana, the Nature and Development Foundation, WACAM and the Network of Legal Advocates for Land and Human Rights made the call in a statement issued in Accra on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The groups said farmers and families in mining-affected communities were increasingly being exposed to threats, destruction of farms and unlawful entry onto their lands by alleged illegal mining operators.
They warned that the situation could undermine confidence in law enforcement and efforts to combat illegal mining if affected communities did not feel protected by the state.
The groups cited an incident at Patriensa in the Ashanti Region involving a 61-year-old cocoa farmer who was allegedly chased from her farm by a man wielding a cutlass.
According to the organisations, they submitted a formal criminal complaint to the District Police Commander in Konongo on September 29, 2026, requesting an urgent investigation into the incident.
They said a video circulating on social media showed the distressed farmer being chased from her farm.
The organisations said they had established that the video was recorded by the farmer’s son, who was present during the incident.
According to the son’s account to the groups, he went to the farm after learning that a group of people had entered the property and allegedly begun mining without his mother’s knowledge or consent.
He reportedly said portions of the cocoa farm had already been cleared and destroyed, while the group allegedly refused to identify who had authorised their activities or produce any licence, permit or approval.
The son further alleged that the group became aggressive and confronted him and his mother with cutlasses before chasing them from the farm.
The organisations stressed that the allegations must be investigated by the police and that the incident was indicative of broader concerns reported by communities in galamsey-affected areas.
The groups said their work in mining-affected communities had brought them into contact with farmers who reported the destruction of farms, pollution of water sources and fear arising from alleged armed groups operating on or near their lands.
They said communities had repeatedly described situations where land was allegedly entered without consent, questions about mining activities went unanswered and threats were subsequently made against those who resisted.
According to the organisations, some affected residents refrain from reporting such incidents because of fears of retaliation or concerns that their complaints would not result in action.
They warned that the alleged destruction of cocoa farms could also have implications for agricultural livelihoods and national cocoa production.
The Civil Society Groups said the Patriensa incident went beyond an individual land dispute and raised concerns about community safety, agricultural livelihoods and environmental protection.
They argued that failure to investigate alleged threats and intimidation could further weaken public confidence in law enforcement and create an environment in which illegal mining activities continue unchecked.
The organisations therefore called for a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the Patriensa incident.
They also urged the police to take steps to protect the farmer, her son and others assisting the investigation from further harassment, intimidation or retaliation.
The groups further called for any excavators, mining equipment, vehicles, weapons or minerals connected to suspected offences to be identified and secured in accordance with the law, while preventing further mining activity or destruction of crops at the site.
The organisations also urged the Police Service to establish mechanisms that would make it easier and safer for farmers and residents in galamsey-affected communities to report threats, trespass and destruction of property.
They called for a simplified and anonymous complaints and redress system to provide greater security for law-abiding residents in affected communities.
They also asked the police to provide a public update, consistent with the safety and privacy of those involved, on the steps taken and progress of the Patriensa investigation.
The organisations said they were prepared to assist with the ongoing investigation and would continue to monitor the case, support affected communities and engage state institutions until the matter was resolved.
They also called on the media, civil society and development partners to maintain attention on the case and the safety of farming communities in Ghana’s mining-affected areas.
