By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has officially launched the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to strengthen the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
The event was held in Accra with support from the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the Minister for Defence, Dr. Omane Boamah.
NAIMOS will act as the central command center to manage and coordinate all operations against illegal mining across the country. The goal is to ensure a more effective and united national response, as past efforts were often scattered and uncoordinated.
The new body will work with key state agencies, including the Interior and Defence Ministries, National Security, Narcotics Control Board, and the National Investigations Bureau. It will use accurate data and intelligence to guide its actions and avoid guesswork or political interference.
At the launch, Minister Buah stressed the urgency of the task. “Sixteen percent of Ghana’s land has already been destroyed by galamsey. NAIMOS will bring the strong leadership we need to stop it,” he said. He promised his full backing for the Secretariat, saying its work would be carried out “without fear or favour.”
NAIMOS will:
- Coordinate security forces and agencies in the fight against galamsey
- Plan and carry out operations to stop illegal mining
- Enforce mining and environmental laws
- Work with chiefs and local communities to find lasting solutions
- Collaborate with the National Security Secretariat
- Report regularly to the Lands Minister with updates and new findings
Interior Minister Muntaka also pledged his ministry’s full support for the operations. The Deputy Defence Minister, Ernest Brogya Genfi, assured the public of military involvement, especially in restoring damaged lands and rivers. He added that President John Dramani Mahama has given his full backing to the initiative.
Before its launch, NAIMOS-led operations had already seen success in regions like Eastern, Ashanti, Western, Central, and Western North. Over 50 excavators, bulldozers, and other equipment were seized, and several illegal miners were arrested.
NAIMOS is expected to lead a more effective and united fight to end galamsey and protect Ghana’s environment with strong support from state agencies, chiefs, and the military.
