Legendreport investigations have uncovered worrying allegations of illegal mining and extortion involving some journalists in the Western North Region. For the past two months, the Legendreport team has been conducting investigations into galamsey activities across various districts and municipalities, including Juaboso, Suaman, and Bodi.
Findings from the investigations reveal that certain individuals posing as journalists frequently visit mining sites under the pretext of gathering information but end up extorting money from miners. Several miners and community members disclosed that these journalists often demand between GHS 3,000 and GHS 4,000 from operators to avoid negative publications.
In Dadieso, reports suggest that one group allegedly extorted about GHS 10,000 from a mining site. According to some miners, these individuals threaten to publish damaging reports if they are not paid, forcing miners to comply out of fear.
Specific areas in the Juaboso District, such as Boinzan, Abrokofe, Kwawkrom, and Bonsu Nkwanta, were mentioned as hotspots where these incidents have occurred repeatedly over some months. In Bodi District, a senior journalist was also named for allegedly frequenting mining sites in Attaboka on a motorbike to extort money from miners.
Further investigations by Legendreport suggest that a few journalists may even be directly involved in illegal mining operations themselves, raising serious ethical and professional concerns.
This development has sparked public outrage and deep disappointment among media professionals and community members who believe journalism should be a tool for truth and accountability, not personal gain.
Legendreport is therefore calling on the Western North Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and all relevant authorities to investigate and call their members to order. The reputation, integrity, and credibility of journalism are at stake, and immediate action is needed to restore public trust in the profession.
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