‘Galamsey’ being used to fund radical extremism – Kwesi Annin

Security Expert, Dr. Kwesi Annin says the festering illegal mining menace in Ghana is a likely source of funding for radical extremist groups in the West African sub-region.

Dr. Annin has, therefore, urged the government of Ghana to trace the destination of the gold and money realised from illegal mining, popularly called galamsey in Ghana.

He told XYZ Breakfast on Friday June 7, 2013 that radical extremists will exploit any means possible to fund their militant activities.

“…Radical groups need money and it is not only about cocaine,” Dr. Annin noted.

He observed: “Radical groups will use any means necessary to fund their activities. The threat that we face in Ghana, in West Africa from extremists is not just out of the blue. They need the money”.

Dr. Annin has, therefore, advised the inter-ministerial committee to trace the money and the gold produced from the festering illegal mining sector in Ghana.

“…Trace the money from galamsey; trace those who buy it and see where the gold and the money go and they will be very surprised”.

He recalled issuing a similar warning about narcotics trafficking in Ghana in 2009, but said he was derided for his assertions.

“I’ve said it before-people thought I was making fun-that the cocaine money just doesn’t go into people’s pockets and to Europe, that it funds extremists, this was in 2009, I was abused and laughed at, now people are laughing at the wrong side of their mouths”.

Dr. Kwesi Annin also warns that until Ghana elevates to a higher level, the national security threat posed by galamsey, the transnational beneficiaries of the activity will continue to undermine the resolve of the Ghanaian government to deal with the menace.