Friday, 6 November 2026

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Friday, 6 November 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations

Also known as: NAIMOS

2026-04-272026-11-06

News reports

Order a long-term news report on National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

November 2026
4 NovJoy Online
… Research shows turbidity levels of river bodies are now between five thousand and twelve thousand, against the acceptable level of 0 to 500, making water treatment almost impossible. “Two weeks ago I was with the NAIMOS. …
New Mining Act to transform mining communities, end licence speculation and boost Ghana’s royalties – Lands Minister
October 2026
31 OctJoy Online
… governments had taken various actions and announced interventions, these had not translated into the desired results. “If it is about actions that we can speak to, that they did that and did this….. so in terms of the fight, I believe if it is about what is happening with NAIMOS …
I’ve not seen any progress in the galamsey fight since Ex-President Kufuor’s tenure – Sulemana Braimah
31 OctJoy Online
… Mr Asare Donkor said the government was repeating strategies that had failed in the past while failing to provide the necessary resources to those tasked with tackling the problem. “I would say that basically we are doing the same thing, aside from the strategy that maybe NAIMOS …
Gov’t going round in circles in the fight against galamsey – Erastus Asare Donkor
12 OctJoy Online
… Others are the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, overseeing policy, permitting, and security enforcement through NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guard; and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), providing regulatory guidance for ecological restoration along the river and …
Asantehene to lead environmental restoration effort at Jimi Land Reclamation Site
2 OctJoy Online
… The government has moved against their fabrication, importation, sale, and use, while NAIMOS and other enforcement agencies continue to seize, immobilise, and destroy those found operating illegally. …
Schandorf Writes: Is the galamsey fight lost? An open letter to Oliver Barker-Vormawor
August 2026
31 AugJoy Online
… NAIMOS, EPA, Forestry Commission and Water Resources Commission are all doing their jobs to ensure an acceptable end to this menace that has bedevilled our country,” he said. …
Government designates 13 blocked-out areas for small-scale mining to curb illegal mining
25 AugJoy Online
… He contrasted his proposal with the current approach, pointing to the activities of NAIMOS and questioning whether existing interventions have produced sufficient results. …
Hopeson Adorye calls for one-year mining ban as abandoned galamsey pits claim 23 lives in Ashanti Region
18 AugThe Chronicle
… Mr Mahama said government had cleared as many as possible of the nearly 49 forest reserves invaded by illegal miners, while NAIMOS had seized excavators and destroyed Changfan machines. …
Editorial: New Strategy To Prevent Illegal Miners From Returning To Forest Reserves Laudable
17 AugJoy Online
… NAIMOS says it has sustained operations across major galamsey-affected regions, while the lands minister has repeatedly insisted that government remains committed to winning the fight, presumably with tear drops. …
From promises to poisoned rivers: The dangerous silence fueling Ghana’s escalating galamsey and environmental collapse
17 AugJoy Online
… Traditional authorities in the Ahafo Region recently empowered local communities to arrest anyone destroying forests and water bodies, citing the complete failure of state-mandated task forces including NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guard to curb the menace. …
Chief arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining in Tano North

Mining & Energy

New Mining Act to transform communities and boost Ghana's royalties

The News

Ghana's Lands Minister says a new Mining Act before Parliament will make Community Development Agreements mandatory and introduce District Mining Committees to transform mining communities, stop licence speculation, and increase mineral revenues. The reforms include requirements for mining companies to employ and train local workers, with companies obliged to help develop next-generation professionals in mining communities within specified timeframes.

4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 4 November

New Mining Act to transform communities and boost Ghana's royalties
Ghana's Lands Minister says a new Mining Act before Parliament will make Community Development Agreements mandatory and introduce District Mining Committees to transform mining communities, stop licence speculation, and increase mineral revenues. The reforms include requirements for mining companies to employ and train local workers, with companies obliged to help develop next-generation professionals in mining communities within specified timeframes.
4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 31 October

No progress in galamsey fight since Kufuor era, Braimah says
Sulemana Braimah, CEO of the Media Foundation for West Africa, says Ghana has made no significant progress against illegal mining despite interventions by successive governments since the early 2000s, with each administration repeating previous measures without lasting results.
31 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Government repeating failed anti-galamsey strategies, says journalist
Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has accused the government of going round in circles in the fight against illegal mining, saying its approach is largely similar to that of the previous administration and that its actions do not match its public pronouncements about commitment to ending the practice.
31 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 12 October

Asantehene to plant trees at Jimi Land Reclamation Site
The Asantehene will visit the Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project near Obuasi to plant trees and inspect Lot 1, a flagship environmental initiative restoring lands degraded by unregulated small-scale mining and addressing contamination of the Jimi River and Dam.
12 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 2 October

Schandorf responds to galamsey fight verdict
In an open letter to Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Schandorf disputes his verdict that the fight against galamsey has been lost, arguing that galamsey is not a new problem and that the government is not under the illusion that the illegal mining has disappeared or that Ghana's rivers have been restored.
2 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 31 August

Government designates 13 blocked-out areas for small-scale mining
Ghana's Minerals Commission has demarcated 13 blocked-out areas across the country for allocation to Ghanaians interested in small-scale mining, aiming to provide legal concessions and curb illegal mining activities that threaten the environment.
31 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 25 August

UP Director Adorye calls for one-year mining suspension
Hopeson Adorye, Director of Field Operations of the United Party, has called for a one-year suspension of small-scale mining across Ghana in response to reports that 23 people have lost their lives in abandoned galamsey pits in the Ashanti Region. Adorye argued that existing measures against illegal mining are insufficient and called for tougher enforcement rather than what he described as a conciliatory approach.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 18 August

President Mahama deploys soldiers to forest reserves against illegal mining
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new strategy to prevent illegal miners from returning to forest reserves by keeping military detachments stationed in reclaimed reserves. The move comes after the previous approach of handing cleared reserves back to the Forestry Commission repeatedly failed, as illegal miners returned and resumed their activities.
18 August 2026 · The Chronicle →

Monday 17 August

Ghana's escalating illegal mining crisis widens gap between political promises and reality
Ghana faces a critical point in its battle against illegal mining, with rivers becoming increasingly polluted, forests degraded, and farmland disappearing. The article argues there is a growing disconnect between the Mahama-led NDC government's 2024 campaign promises to wage a "ruthless war" against illegal mining and the reality confronting communities today.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief arrested for alleged illegal mining near Tano River
Residents and youth of Tanoso in Tano North Municipality arrested the Ankobeahene, Nana Amoako Atta, on Sunday for allegedly transporting mineral-bearing stones and sand from an illegal mining site. A youth leader said the arrest marks a major milestone in their local fight against illegal mining, which has polluted the Tano River.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama deploys military to protect cleared forest reserves from illegal miners
President Mahama says the government will station military detachments in reclaimed forest reserves to prevent illegal miners from returning, after the previous approach of handing cleared reserves to the Forestry Commission proved ineffective. The government has cleared many of the nearly 49 forest reserves invaded by galamsey operators and seized equipment including excavators and Changfan machines.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 13 August

Ghana losing fight against illegal mining in forests
Journalist Erastus Asare Donkor warns that progress made in clearing illegal miners from forest reserves in 2025 is being reversed, with previously inaccessible areas now being reclaimed by galamsey operators. He noted that areas classified as "red zones" by the Forestry Commission due to armed miners have regressed from zero red zones at the start of 2026.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana losing gains against illegal mining—galamsey returning
Journalist Erastus Asare Donkor warned that Ghana is reversing progress made against illegal mining, with illegal miners returning to forest reserves that had been cleared of destructive activities. He noted that forest reserves previously classified as "red zones" by the Forestry Commission—where armed illegal miners had staged roadblocks and barred access—are now being retaken by galamsey operators.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 6 August

NDC organiser calls for stronger anti-galamsey enforcement strategy
Anthony Nukpenu, the Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the NDC, has criticised the government's approach to tackling illegal mining, arguing that enforcement agencies lack adequate resources and equipment and that authorities must adopt a more proactive stance to prevent environmental damage rather than respond after it occurs.
6 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 22 July

NDC deputy says country partly succeeded against galamsey
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress Mustapha Gbande credited the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the National Strategic Coordinator with efforts that have reduced destruction to water bodies and forest reserves from illegal mining. He argued that some forms of small-scale mining, particularly alluvial mining, should be properly regulated rather than completely stopped in communities where mining remains the main livelihood source.
22 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 20 July

CAGG disputes government claim that galamsey impunity era is over
The Coalition Against Galamsey Ghana rejected the government's assertion that the era of impunity regarding illegal mining is over, citing escalating lawlessness in the Eastern Region and calling for equal enforcement against all illegal miners, including politically exposed persons and kingpins.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 23 June

Minister says no formal complaint over Prestea-Bondae mining dispute
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson says he has not been formally notified of tensions involving two companies at Prestea-Bondae and will not interfere in private business matters unless officially escalated through proper channels. This follows reports that police foiled an alleged attempt by former NDC National Organiser Joshua Akamba and some Chinese nationals to forcefully take over a mining concession at the site, where the concession is subject to ongoing legal dispute at Sekondi High Court.
23 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 17 June

Adamus Resources denies security role in illegal miner death
Adamus Resources has denied allegations that its security officer shot and killed a suspected illegal miner at its Salman concession, stating its security team does not use firearms and calling for police investigation into the incident.
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 25 May

NPP chairman challenges illegal mining case in High Court
Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako testified before the High Court that individuals who claimed ownership of seized items have been turned into prosecution witnesses against him, while denying involvement in illegal mining activities on a concession where he serves as director.
25 May 2026 · The Chronicle →

Wednesday 20 May

OBZ Group founder calls for fuel regulation at illegal mining sites
Ernest Domie, founder of OBZ Group Ghana Limited, has urged authorities to regulate fuel sales at illegal mining sites to curb galamsey activities, arguing that restricting fuel access could significantly reduce illegal mining. He has petitioned several state institutions on the matter and discussed the issue with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who assured him the National Petroleum Authority CEO would address it.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 19 May

Abesim youth plan protest march against illegal mining in Tano River
Youth in Abesim near Sunyani plan a nonpartisan demonstration scheduled for Friday, May 22, to protest pollution and destruction of the Tano River caused by illegal mining activities, which serves as the main source of potable water for the community.
19 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 2 May

NAIMOS arrests 49 suspected illegal miners after armed ambush
A NAIMOS taskforce was ambushed by illegal miners at a GREL rubber plantation in Ahanta West on April 28, 2026, with gunfire directed at their vehicle; no casualties were reported. A subsequent dawn raid on Thursday arrested 49 suspected illegal miners, recovered one pump-action firearm, and seized more than GH₵226,000 in suspected proceeds from illegal mining.
2 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 27 April

Titus Glover urges Ashanti minister to focus on illegal mining
Former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover has criticised the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, for focusing on social media rather than tackling illegal mining. Glover said the minister must take a more proactive hands-on leadership role to address the scale of destruction caused by galamsey.
27 April 2026 · Joy Online →