Also known as: NAIMOS
NAIMOS — government anti-illegal mining taskforce that conducts raids and arrests suspected illegal miners, recently engaged in operations against armed galamsey operators.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… enforcement “applied equally in every region, against every excavator, and irrespective of whose interests stand in the way.” The Coalition highlights escalating lawlessness in areas like Apedwa, Anyinam, and Osino, even citing a recent clash between illegal miners and the NAIMOS …
CAGG rejects claim that galamsey impunity is over, demands tougher action against illegal minersJoy Online
… The Minister reaffirmed the region’s commitment to the fight against galamsey, disclosing that NAIMOS operatives have been stationed in the area and are actively working. …
I don’t interfere in people’s private businesses – Minister on alleged mining site takeover in Prestea BondaeJoy Online
… Reports indicate that upon noticing a NAIMOS patrol team in the vicinity, the individuals fled the scene, and one person sustained fatal injuries during the ensuing events. …
Adamus Resources denies security officer shooting, calls for Police investigation into illegal mining deathThe Chronicle
… Also last week NAIMOS claimed they arrested about 275 illegal miners both locals and foreigners. …
Wontumi Tells Court: Those Who Claimed Ownership Of Seized Items Have Been Turned Into Prosecution WitnessesJoy Online
… Domie also proposed the decentralisation of NAIMOS to the district level to improve coordination and operations. …
OBZ Group founder urges regulation of fuel sales in galamsey communitiesJoy Online
… He emphasised that the demonstration was nonpartisan and urged all residents to participate. “We aren’t just registering our displeasure over the destruction of the Tano River but also want to send a signal to the security operatives and the NAIMOS to act expeditiously to protect …
Abesim youth to demonstrate against galamsey activities in Tano RiverJoy Online
A NAIMOS operations team stationed in Nzema East has survived an ambush after an illegal mining gang opened fire on them during an operation at Adiewoso in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region. …
NAIMOS dawn operation leads to arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners after ambush on taskforce in Ahanta WestJoy Online
… But for the intervention of the Chief Imam, the NAIMOS team would have been killed,” he claimed. …
“Stop the social media escapades and work” – Titus Glover to Ashanti Regional MinisterGhana'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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →