Story By: Nii Okpoti Odamtten & Muhammed Faisal Mustapha
THE BLACK Volta River, once a vital source of water for fishing, farming, and trade, is fast becoming a centre of illegal mining and insecurity in Ghana’s Upper West Region.
An investigation by Nationaltymes.com has uncovered widespread illegal alluvial mining, also known as galamsey, along the Black Volta in the Nadowli–Kaleo District, especially near the community of Saan. Residents and security sources say the miners operate boldly and with little fear of arrest.
Many of the miners are believed to be foreigners from neighbouring Burkina Faso. They take advantage of the river, which forms the natural border between the two countries, to escape whenever Ghanaian security agencies move in.
According to local sources, trucks regularly bring mining equipment such as shamfa machines, fuel drums and water pumps into the area. The machines are then mounted on temporary platforms directly on the river, allowing miners to extract gold from the riverbed.
“They come in trucks, mount their machines on the river, and mine openly,” a resident said. “When security pressure mounts, they simply cross the river.”
Security officials confirm that this has become a common tactic. Whenever authorities plan an operation, the miners quickly flee across the river into Burkina Faso. After a few days, they return to continue mining.
“It is a cat-and-mouse game,” one security source explained. “They mine on the Ghanaian side, run away when chased, and come back when things are quiet.”
This situation has made enforcement very difficult. Local authorities lack enough personnel, boats, and equipment to patrol the river effectively. There is also weak coordination between Ghana and Burkina Faso, allowing the miners to operate freely.
Even more worrying are reports that some miners have threatened security officers. A key figure among the miners is said to monitor the movement of security agencies and warn others in real time.
“He said openly that if any security officer meets them on the Black Volta, they will kill the person,” a community source revealed.
These threats have created fear among officers, who often have to pursue suspects into the river without proper protection or support.
When intelligence about the illegal mining reached the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nadowli–Kaleo, Madam Mary Haruna, immigration officers were sent to the area. However, by the time they arrived, most of the miners had already escaped.
“The officers tried to stop them, but they drove off,” a source said. “Their numbers were not enough. It’s not easy.”
Although some mining machines and motorbikes have been seized during operations, the main people behind the activities remain at large.
The investigation also points to local involvement. A traditional leader has been arrested for allegedly allowing illegal miners to operate in his area. In another case, a man pretending to be a fisherman was found hiding miners along the riverbank. A raid on the site led to the seizure of motorbikes, a shamfa machine, and other mining tools.
“It’s a headache,” one officer said. “Everywhere you turn, there’s another layer. We chase them two or three times every week, and they come back stronger and more violent.”
Despite these challenges, Madam Mary Haruna believes a community-based solution could help. She has proposed employing young men from riverside communities as water guards to protect the Black Volta.
“If the youth along the Black Volta are employed to protect it, that will empower them and encourage them to defend the river,” she said.
She explained that this approach could create jobs, strengthen community responsibility, and improve intelligence gathering.
Officials say the fight against illegal mining is draining the district’s limited funds, with little long-term success.
“Our internally generated funds are being sunk into chasing people on the Black Volta,” one source said. “We have talked and talked, but nothing has changed.”
Local authorities say they urgently need more support, better equipment, and stronger cooperation with Burkina Faso to deal with the problem.
What is happening along the Black Volta is no longer just an environmental issue. It has become a serious national security concern. Without urgent action, residents fear that illegal miners will completely take over the river and weaken the authority of the state.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
