“I Move in Silence to Stay Alive” – Hannah Bissiw Defends Secret Galamsey Site Visits
Minerals Development Fund boss cites safety concerns, says her actions are within legal mandate.
- Hannah Bissiw conducts galamsey site visits without notifying Interior or Defense Ministries
- She cites personal and team safety as the reason for operating quietly
- Bissiw insists her actions are legal and backed by the Minerals Development Fund Act
Dr. Hannah Louisa Bissiw-Kotei, Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, has revealed that she does not notify the Interior or Defense Ministries before visiting illegal mining (galamsey) sites.
In an interview, Dr. Bissiw stated that her trips to these high-risk areas are intentionally kept under wraps for safety reasons.
According to her, the ministries only learn of her actions after they’re reported in the media.
“I don’t inform anyone ahead of time. Not because I don’t respect protocol, but because even well-intentioned people might inadvertently leak the information. That could put my life and my team at serious risk,” she explained.
Her remarks come in response to criticism that she’s exceeding her authority by directly confronting illegal miners. Dr. Bissiw pushed back, asserting that her actions are well within the powers granted by the Minerals Development Fund Act.
“We’re acting within legal bounds. The President is fully aware of our operations. I don’t need prior clearance to act in the interest of protecting mining communities,” she emphasized.
