The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has officially inaugurated the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The Secretariat is a centralised body mandated to coordinate the efforts of the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey in Ghana.
The inauguration was done with the assistance and collaboration of the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the Defence Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah.
The newly established intelligence-led Secretariat will serve as the central command for all anti-galamsey operations nationwide, addressing longstanding challenges of uncoordinated enforcement efforts.
NAIMOS is a culmination of resources and efforts across several agencies, including the Ministries of Interior and Defence, National Security, Narcotics Control Board, and the National Investigations Bureau.
The secretariat will also rely on credible data to execute its mandate, ensuring that no discretionary or uninformed actions are taken that could compromise operational integrity or government’s credibility.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Buah emphasised the critical need for this coordinated approach.
“With 16% of our land reserves already degraded by illegal mining activities, NAIMOS will provide the focused leadership required to win this fight,” he said.
The Minister vowed to support the Secretariat’s operations “without fear or favour” in their mission to eradicate galamsey.
Its mandate includes;
- Coordinating the activities of state security forces and agencies on galamsey.
• Developing field strategies and conducting tactical operations to combat illegal mining.
• Enforcing mining and environmental laws in consultation and coordination with established state institutions and organizations.
• Working with traditional leaders and communities to engender broader and inclusive solutions to the galamsey menace.
• Liaising with the National Security Secretariat for synergy in the overall approach in the fight against illegal mining.
They will also report regularly to Mr. Buah on progress made, new trends observed, and the overall outlook of the national response.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve, the Minister pledged his full commitment to the fight against illegal mining, vowing to act “without fear or favour.”
“I assure the Ghanaian people of my unwavering support for NAIMOS in our quest to eradicate galamsey,” he declared.
On his part, the Interior Minister, pledged his utmost support for the secretariat’s operation.
Speaking on behalf of the Defence Ministry, the Deputy Minister, Ernest Brogya Genfi, also reaffirmed the military’s role as a critical partner in NAIMOS-led operations, particularly in reclaiming degraded forests and polluted water bodies.
He also noted that this initiative has the endorsement of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President John Dramani Mahama.
Even before its formal launch, NAIMOS-coordinated operations have yielded impressive results, including successful raids in the Eastern, Ashanti, Western, Central, and Western North regions of Ghana.
They have also recorded seizures of over 50 excavators, three bulldozers, one van, generators, and mining equipment, as well as multiple arrests of illegal mining operators.
With this strong foundation and backing from all the relevant security agencies, NAIMOS is poised to intensify operations to dismantle illegal mining networks and enforce sustainable mining practices.
The well-attended ceremony brought together agency heads, security commanders, and traditional leaders, united in their determination to protect Ghana’s environment from the galamsey menace.
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