Cut fuel to galamsayers – GCAG tells NPA

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) is calling for urgent regulatory action from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to halt the supply of fuel to illegal mining operations across the country.

In a petition addressed to the Chief Executive of the Authority, Edudzi Tamakloe, on Saturday, April 18, the coalition outlined a series of measures aimed at disrupting what it described as the “lifeblood” of galamsey activities.

Among its key demands, the group is urging the NPA to undertake data-driven audits to monitor fuel sales, particularly in mining hotspots. According to the coalition, such audits would help identify filling stations recording unusually high fuel volumes compared to the number of registered vehicles in those areas. It further insists that the findings of such audits be made public.

The coalition is also calling for the revocation of licences of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) found to be supplying fuel to illegal miners. It is additionally demanding a permanent ban on directors of such companies from operating within the downstream petroleum sector, as well as their prosecution through referral to the Attorney-General.

In its petition, the group emphasised the need for strict enforcement of “Know Your Customer” (KYC) protocols to ensure that bulk fuel purchases, particularly diesel in large containers, are properly verified.

It also advocated stronger collaboration between the NPA and security agencies to track and intercept fuel consignments suspected to be heading to illegal mining sites.

Furthermore, the coalition is pushing for the rigorous enforcement of environmental laws to hold individuals and companies accountable for facilitating illegal mining through fuel supply.

The GCAG maintains that cutting off access to fuel remains one of the most effective ways to curb illegal mining, stressing that decisive action is required to safeguard the environment and protect the country’s natural resources.