Minister Warns of Stiffer Punishment for Illegal Galamsey Operators
By: Iddrissu A. Jara
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who doubles as the Acting Minister for MEST, has warned that any galamsey operator caught onsite shall face the full rigors of the law.
The minister expressed his disappointment in the attacks on NAIMOS task force in Hwidiem, located in the Ahafo region.
The Minister emphasize that he remains steadfast and undeterred in his commitment to address the issue at hand.
In this regard, the Ministry wishes to clarify that illegal mining constitutes a criminal offense! Any attempt to obstruct or assault law enforcement personnel engaged in anti-galamsey operations will be considered an offense against the state, and anyone found guilty will face severe consequences, irrespective of their political, social, or traditional standing.
Our dedication to safeguarding Ghana’s lands, rivers, forests, and communities is more robust than ever.
The recent occurrences will not hinder our progress; instead, they have only reinforced our resolve. Illegal mining must cease. Ghana must prevail in this battle.
In the aftermath of the attacks on NAIMOS in Hwidiem, located in the Ahafo region, it was reported that NAIMOS strategically launched operations in Hwidien to address the illegal mining activities that are wreaking havoc on the land and water bodies.
During a news conference held in Accra on behalf of the Minister, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, The Head of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, clarified that the decision to revise the strategy was prompted by incidents in Hwidiem and Obuasi, where EPA officials were attacked while performing their routine duties.
“NAIMOS have a routine mandate. In light of the recent incident and the discussions that have taken place, I am aware that there is a revision of strategy,” Ms. Mawusi stated emphatically.
While engaging with Emmanuel Anyinah, the Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, the Head of Communications remarked, “NAIMOS, despite the incidents, remain motivated and undeterred, highlighting NAIMOS’ steadfast commitment to eradicate all illegal miners from their operational areas.
Providing a detailed account of the Hwidiem incident, the Head of Communications emphasized that following the Government’s declaration of Forest Reserves and Water bodies as Security Zones, a ten-member NAIMOS team, led by the Director of Operations, Col. Dominic Buah, conducted a reconnaissance mission in Goaso on Saturday, 1st November 2025.
The purpose of this mission was to identify an appropriate site for the permanent deployment of a NAIMOS field task force, in accordance with the Secretariat’s strategic plan to maintain anti-illegal mining operations.
“On their return journey, they observed an illegal mining operation occurring by the roadside at Bonikrom, approximately 10 meters from the Hwidiem–Goaso highway in the Ahafo Region
Based on the reports received, the miners fled upon noticing the NAIMOS team, abandoning a Burkinabe national who was operating the excavator. Col. Buah directed the suspect to refill the pits they had excavated to avert further environmental damage.
He was subsequently instructed to contact the site owner. Meanwhile, the NAiMOS field task force set fire to the shelters that were being used as offices and accommodations by the illegal miners.
The first person to arrive introduced himself as a Defence Intelligence (DI) representative from the Ahafo Region. Shortly thereafter, two additional individuals arrived, asserting their ownership of the site,” she recounted.
“The Director courteously rejected the unlawful request, insisting that the arrests were justified and that the proper procedures should be followed through to the Police.
The situation escalated rapidly, necessitating the dispatch of reinforcements from a nearby police station to assist the NAIMOS personnel who were surrounded by an increasingly aggressive mob threatening to set fire to the police station.
Col. Buah’s Toyota Hilux pickup was damaged. The tense standoff posed a significant threat to life and property, placing considerable pressure on both the Director of Operations and the police officers on duty, Ms. Mawusi highlighted.
The head of Communications stated that the Sector Minister, Hon. Armah Kofi Buah, has condemned the assaults on EPA head Prof. Browne Klutse and her team, and later praised certain police officers in the area as well as the Zongo chief who offered his Toyota Sequoia to transport the NAIMOS Task Force.
“We wish to commend Chief Superintendent Prince Odom-Koduah, the Ahafo Regional Crime Officer, along with the fifteen (15) member Regional Task Force, led by Inspector Ofosu.
They received support from Superintendent John Atanga, Divisional Commander for Goaso, Superintendent Opoku Yamoah, District Commander for Kenyase, and other senior officers,” she stated.
However, she conveyed the Minister’s commitment to equip the NAIMOS teams with the necessary logistics to achieve their objectives.