Ghana’s fight against illegal mining gained fresh momentum this week as the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) led a series of successful raids across several regions, destroying equipment, arresting suspects, and restoring polluted water bodies.
NAIMOS, a special unit under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, coordinates the country’s efforts to curb illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey.
The Secretariat works with the security services and environmental agencies to protect water bodies and forest reserves from further degradation.
On November 7, a joint operation by the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, Police, and Immigration officers at Dominase near the Ankobra River led to the destruction of 100 changfang machines and 50 blankets used for mining. Five more blankets were seized and two individuals arrested.
In a separate operation, NAIMOS task force members overpowered a group of machete-wielding men guarding an illegal mining site at Osibo Town. The site owner is currently on the run.
The crackdown continued in the Eastern Region, where NAIMOS carried out a dawn raid at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District on November 8. Thirty-two Nigerien nationals and four Ghanaians were arrested for engaging in illegal mining.
Patrol teams under the Blue Water Guards in Bogoso have also reported visible improvements in the Oppon River at Kojo Bote and nearby communities.
According to NAIMOS, the water is beginning to recover following the removal of galamsey operators from the area.
NAIMOS Officials say the recent operations reflect Ghana’s renewed determination to protect its natural resources and restore damaged ecosystems.
