Accra, March 25, – The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has urged stronger public participation in the fight against illegal mining, warning that the destruction of water bodies could threaten the very survival of the nation.
Speaking at the NAIMOS Editors’ Forum and quarterly press briefing in Accra, Colonel Eric Amponsah Buah, Coordinator of the Secretariat, emphasized that galamsey operations continue to endanger both the environment and national security.
“Are we not aware that we are destroying ourselves? This is the existential nature of the threat,” he said.
Col. Buah called on citizens, media practitioners, and stakeholders to intensify advocacy and education campaigns against illegal mining. He noted that success in the fight would be reflected in the restoration of clean water bodies, warning that current pollution levels could lead to severe water shortages and increased costs of water treatment.
He explained that NAIMOS operations are intelligence-driven, relying on networks of informants, including traditional leaders and local communities, to provide timely information for targeted interventions. The Secretariat collaborates closely with key state institutions, including the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, and the National Intelligence Bureau, to enhance operational effectiveness.
Petitions from communities, chiefs, and civil society organizations are assessed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and forwarded to NAIMOS for action, Col. Buah said.
He revealed that numerous excavators, weapons, and other equipment had been seized during operations, assuring that all confiscated items are properly accounted for by the relevant state authorities. He expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal weapons at galamsey sites, calling it a major national security risk.
“There are numerous weapons at these sites, which could trigger violence if provoked,” he cautioned, noting that personnel would act in self-defense if threatened.
Col. Buah reported that foreign nationals involved in illegal mining have been arrested, processed under Ghanaian law, and in many cases deported and blacklisted. He also highlighted the alarming presence of minors at some mining sites, stating that such cases are referred to social protection agencies.
On environmental restoration, he said NAIMOS is overseeing reclamation work in degraded areas, including over 800 acres at Manso-Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region, while seized equipment is being repurposed for productive uses, particularly in agriculture.
The Secretariat has instituted permanent deployments at major mining hotspots and intensified patrols along rivers such as the Ankobra and Pra to curb illegal activities.
Col. Buah warned illegal miners to cease operations and take advantage of government-supported cooperative mining schemes, stressing that offenders will face strict enforcement measures.
“They remain the number one enemy of the state, and we will pursue them wherever they operate,” he said.
He urged the media to continue supporting efforts against illegal mining by providing credible information to aid operations.
NAIMOS, a government-coordinated body under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, combats illegal mining through intelligence gathering, community engagement, enforcement actions, and environmental restoration. The Secretariat’s work forms part of broader national efforts to address environmental degradation and water pollution caused by galamsey, which have heavily impacted rivers and forest reserves across the country.
GHBUSS
25 March 2026
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