By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), Rashid Tanko Computer, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of being responsible for bringing Chinese nationals into Ghana to engage in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Wednesday 30th April, 2025, Mr. Tanko claimed that several top officials of the NPP facilitated the entry and operations of these Chinese miners in Ghana. He alleged that some national executives, including a the national chairman and other party leaders, were directly or indirectly involved in the illegal mining trade.
“The NPP brought them,” he stated firmly. “Go to the mining sites where these Chinese were arrested, and you will find out that they are owned by top NPP members.”
Mr. Tanko further cited a letter reportedly written by a former NPP chairman to the President, detailing the involvement of several government appointees in galamsey operations led by Chinese nationals.
Though he was pressed for direct evidence on how the Chinese were recruited, Mr. Tanko maintained that the connection between the NPP leadership and illegal mining activities was clear. “If the government is serious about fighting galamsey, they should deal with the top people involved – not just parade a few arrests on camera,” he said.
He also criticized the idea of keeping arrested foreign nationals in custody at the expense of the state, saying the country should deport them instead.
