The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has denied reports alleging that its personnel were involved in the shooting and death of a young man at Akyem Hemang in the Eastern Region.
In a press release issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, NAIMOS described the allegation as false, stressing that it did not conduct any operation at Akyem Hemang or within the area in question at the time of the incident.
The Secretariat said no NAIMOS personnel had been deployed to the jurisdiction when the alleged shooting occurred.
NAIMOS further explained that its operations are centrally coordinated and authorised by the Secretariat and conducted in collaboration with recognised security and intelligence agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Bureau of National Intelligence and the Narcotics Control Commission.
The Secretariat expressed concern over the publication of the allegation without prior verification, particularly given the seriousness of the claim and the loss of human life involved.
According to NAIMOS, a simple inquiry with the Secretariat before publication would have established that no NAIMOS operation took place in the area.
It warned that publishing unverified allegations of this nature could create unnecessary tension between communities and security personnel and undermine the national fight against illegal mining.
NAIMOS has consequently called on Citi Newsroom and other media organisations that carried the report to retract the publication, correct the record and apologise to the Secretariat.
It also cautioned against automatically attributing the activities of uniformed personnel to NAIMOS, stressing that the presence of security personnel at a location does not necessarily mean a NAIMOS operation is underway.
“Any anti-illegal mining operation not authorised or sanctioned by NAIMOS must not be automatically attributed to NAIMOS,” the Secretariat stated.
NAIMOS assured the public that its personnel remain committed to protecting Ghana’s water bodies, forests and lands from the effects of illegal mining.
The Secretariat also appealed to media organisations and the public to verify information before publication and continue supporting authorised taskforces involved in efforts to protect the country’s natural resources.
Read the statement below:
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