A National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which is to serve as a central body tasked with coordinating Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey has been inuagurated by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
He was joined at the inauguration ceremony by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, and the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah.
The new intelligence-led secretariat will act as the command centre for all nationwide anti-galamsey operations, aiming to address longstanding problems caused by fragmented and uncoordinated enforcement.
The establishment of NAIMOS brings together resources and personnel from several agencies, including the Ministries of Interior and Defence, National Security, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the National Investigations Bureau.
Mr Buah said the secretariat would operate based on reliable data, adding that it would avoid arbitrary or uninformed decisions that could damage the integrity of operations or erode public trust in government.
“With 16 percent of our land reserves already degraded by illegal mining activities, NAIMOS will provide the focused leadership required to win this fight,” Mr Buah stated at the launch, held on June 26, 2025.
He assured the public that the secretariat’s work would be carried out “without fear or favour.”
According to the minister, NAIMOS is expected to coordinate the work of security forces and other state agencies involved in tackling illegal mining.
It will also develop field strategies, plan and carry out operations, and enforce mining and environmental laws in collaboration with established institutions.
In addition, the secretariat will work with traditional authorities and local communities in efforts to develop more inclusive approaches to ending galamsey.
It will liaise with the National Security Secretariat to align national responses and report regularly to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on progress, new developments, and challenges encountered.
Reiterating the government’s determination, Mr Buah said, “I assure the Ghanaian people of my unwavering support for NAIMOS in our quest to eradicate galamsey.”
Mr Muntaka, the Interior Minister, also pledged his full backing, stating that his ministry would provide the operational support needed to strengthen enforcement.
Deputy Minister for Defence Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, speaking on behalf of the ministry, confirmed the military’s involvement in NAIMOS-led operations, particularly those aimed at restoring degraded forests and polluted water bodies.
He added that the initiative had the support of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President John Dramani Mahama.
