National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat
Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat conducts raids and arrests illegal miners, seizing equipment and firearms in efforts to combat galamsey operations.
… While acknowledging previous anti-galamsey initiatives such as Operation Vanguard and GalamStop, as well as the current National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Caucus maintained that changing the names of interventions alone would not solve the problem. …
… The company indicated that reports available to it suggested the individuals fled after noticing a patrol team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the vicinity. …
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has handed over 141 seized firearms and 1,864 cartridges of ammunition to the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons for destruction as part of efforts to prevent illicit weapons from finding their way …
The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has disclosed via his official Facebook handle that he received a consignment of illegal firearms recovered by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) during anti-galamsey operations across the countr …
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has ushered in a new phase in the fight against illegal mining following a leadership transition that saw Colonel K. …
… As Ghana joins the globe to mark the 2026 World Environment Day (WED), the foundation regretted that despite the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’ continues to devastate farmlands, water …
… These measures include intensified stakeholder engagement and public education, the operationalisation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the deployment of the Blue Water Guards, and the introduction of a new medium-scale mining framework designe …
… Dominic Buah, Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), describing the move as a potential setback in the fight against galamsey. …
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has executed a decisive pre-dawn enforcement raid at Sanfo Adiam in the Amansie East District of the Ashanti Region, arresting two Chinese nationals caught at the heart of an active illegal mining (galamsey) enclave …
… According to him, Ghana’s rivers and water bodies remain heavily polluted despite claims that institutions are working to tackle the problem. “If the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) is doing well, our water bodies should be impacted by now.” “The wate …
Ghana's Parliamentary Minority Caucus has endorsed the Presbyterian Church of Ghana's nationwide anti-galamsey campaign, including a proposed "Red Sunday" observance, calling for a more institutionalised government approach to combating illegal mining and environmental degradation.
Why it matters
Parliament's minority caucus has backed the Presbyterian Church's nationwide anti-galamsey campaign, signalling political support for a coordinated fight against illegal mining.
Ghana's Parliamentary Minority Caucus has endorsed the Presbyterian Church of Ghana's nationwide anti-galamsey campaign, including a proposed "Red Sunday" observance, calling for a more institutionalised government approach to combating illegal mining and environmental degradation.
Mining company Adamus Resources has rejected allegations that one of its security officers shot and killed a suspected illegal miner at its AU Field concession in Nzema East District, stating its security personnel do not carry firearms and media reports linking the company to the incident are false and unsupported by evidence.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) handed over 141 seized firearms and 1,864 cartridges of ammunition to the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons for destruction to prevent illicit weapons from re-entering circulation. Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak reaffirmed the government's commitment to national security at the handover ceremony.
The Interior Minister disclosed that NAIMOS has handed over illegal firearms seized during anti-galamsey operations to the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons for documentation and destruction. The Minister pledged that seized equipment including excavators would be handled transparently and according to due process, with details made publicly available.
Colonel K. S. Appiah has taken over as Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in a leadership transition aimed at strengthening operational efficiency in the fight against illegal mining. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources described the handover as a transfer of a national mission to protect Ghana's rivers, forests and mineral resources.
The Global Media Foundation has criticised the government for indecisive efforts in fighting illegal mining, arguing that despite the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), galamsey continues to devastate farmlands, water bodies, and forests. The foundation called for a more aggressive and coordinated approach to tackling illegal mining and environmental crimes.
Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has submitted a new mining bill to Cabinet that would transfer licensing approval powers from central agencies like the EPA and Minerals Commission to newly established District Mining Committees, giving local communities greater involvement in mining governance and licensing decisions.
Environmental campaigners and youth groups have appealed to President Mahama to reconsider the reported reassignment of Col. Dominic Buah, Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, arguing the move would undermine anti-galamsey efforts and reflect waning government commitment to combating illegal mining.
Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) conducted a pre-dawn raid at Sanfo Adiam in Amansie East District, Ashanti Region, on 24 May 2026, arresting two Chinese nationals operating an illegal gold mining enclave. The operators had diverted sections of the Dankai River into an artificial dam for unlawful extraction; several Ghanaian workers fled during the operation, with one spotted carrying a pump-action firearm.
Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has criticised the NDC government's handling of illegal mining, arguing there is "no fight" against galamsey and pointing to heavily polluted water bodies as evidence of lack of progress.
Tension has erupted at Gwira Ampansie in Nzema East Municipality after a 46-year-old man, the biological brother of the chief, was allegedly shot by armed men linked to an illegal mining operation. The shooting occurred while the victim was being sent by the chief to invite mining company leaders to the palace over concerns about illegal activities on communal land.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has rejected claims that National Security operatives aided illegal mining on the Ankobra River, describing the allegations made by arrested suspects as "completely false, misleading and without any merit." The Ministry said preliminary investigations found the claims to be untrue and noted that illegal miners often make baseless accusations against state institutions to evade accountability.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat task force arrested one Chinese national and seven Ghanaians during an intelligence-led operation at Oseikokrom in Amansie West District on May 21. The operation seized two vehicles, one excavator, and a pump-action gun from the galamsey site.
Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat conducted an intelligence-led operation at a galamsey site in Oseikokrom, Amansie West District, on 21 May 2026, resulting in the arrest of eight illegal miners: one Chinese national and seven Ghanaians. The Chinese national was referred to the Ghana Immigration Service while the seven Ghanaians were handed to police for investigation and prosecution.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested one Chinese national and seven Ghanaians during an intelligence-led operation at Oseikokrom in Amansie West District on May 21, 2026, seizing two Toyota Hilux pickups, two excavators, and a pump-action gun. NAIMOS said it would continue intensified operations to disrupt illegal mining networks destroying cocoa farms, forest reserves, roads, and polluting water bodies.
A joint operation between soldiers and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested four suspects in the Western Region, including a gang leader described as key to attacks on taskforce operatives. Officers recovered two pump-action shotguns, ammunition, excavator parts, and other equipment from the illegal mining site.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has constituted a fact-finding team to investigate allegations linking purported National Security operatives to illegal mining activities following the arrest of four armed illegal miners at Dominase in May, during which the suspects claimed they were acting under the direction of individuals identified as "Ras", "Mambo" and "Nana Teku". The ministry spokesperson said the investigation was prompted by concerns that some NAIMOS operations were allegedly being undermined by persons believed affiliated with National Security.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat task force arrested four armed suspects on May 20 along the Ankobra River in Nzema East Municipality for allegedly operating an illegal mining site, unlawfully possessing firearms, and destroying the environment. The suspects resisted arrest and attempted to obstruct the operation before being subdued.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested four suspected armed illegal miners at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality during a patrol along the Ankobra River on May 20, 2026. The suspects resisted arrest and were found operating with pump-action guns and machetes at an active galamsey site.
The Environmental Protection Authority has arrested Abeka Gogo, suspected of operating the illegal mining site Gyenyame Gyetei in Nzema East Municipality, where mining activities have damaged farmlands, wetlands and a tributary of the Ankobra River. The arrest followed a follow-up inspection after operators ignored a May 19, 2026 directive to halt operations, with EPA officials finding the site still active despite their order.
Ghana's anti-illegal mining secretariat arrested a 41-year-old Chinese national identified as Xiao Weixin during an operation at Dawusaso in the Amansie South District on May 16, 2026, and destroyed illegal mining equipment including two changfan machines on the Offin River.
Operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested three Chinese nationals during a riverine operation targeting illegal mining along the Tano River in Amenfi West District on 14 May 2026. The suspects were found overseeing miners operating Changfan machines on floating platforms and were handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service.
Operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat dismantled and destroyed illegal mining installations along the Butre River in Ahanta West District, Western Region, after about 30 suspected illegal miners fled the scene. The operation targeted equipment including a changfan machine and wooden washing platforms used for processing mined materials directly into the river.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat is donating 100 water pumps to the National Service Secretariat to support farming activities across the country. The donation ceremony was set for Tuesday at NAIMOS headquarters and will include discussions on collaboration in combating illegal mining.
Personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat and Blue Water Guards carried out riverine patrols along the Ankobra River on May 11, 2026, disrupting illegal mining at Dominase in the Western Region. The team destroyed six changfan machines that suspects were reinstalling on an abandoned floating platform.
Personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), working with the Blue Water Guards, destroyed machines and disrupted illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River in the Western Region's Nzema East district. The operation targeted galamsey hotspots from Gwira Banso to Tumentu, dismantling approximately 20 changfan machines at one site and five modified boats fitted with an estimated 10 changfan machines at another.
Personnel from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat and Blue Water Guards conducted sustained patrols in Nzema East District, Western Region, to combat illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River. During operations from Gwira Banso to Tumentu, the team intercepted about 20 individuals engaged in illegal mining, destroyed 20 Changfan machines and water hoses in use.
Personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), working with the Blue Water Guards, have destroyed several machines and disrupted illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River in the Nzema East District of the Western Region. The operation targeted galamsey sites at Gwira Banso and Eshiem, dismantling approximately 20 changfan machines and other equipment used to draw water directly into the river.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested a Church of Pentecost Elder, David Bobie Peter, who was working as a foreman at an illegal mining site in Akyem Morso, Asante Akim District. During the operation along the Kume River, the task force dismantled eight Chanfang machines, four wooden gold-washing platforms, and seized twelve water pumping machines, though most of the illegal miners fled when security personnel arrived.