NAIMOS destroys 3,000 changfans, arrests 237 in ten-month galamsey crackdown
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has destroyed nearly 3,000 changfans and arrested 237 persons during operations across 21 designated zones nationwide.
The Director of Operations, Dominic Buah, disclosed this at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, stating that the figures cover ten months of operations since the secretariat became fully operational.
Colonel Buah said the majority of those arrested were foreigners, including Chinese nationals, although he did not provide a detailed breakdown by nationality.
He added that NAIMOS recorded an operational strike rate of 87 points, based on internal data compiled by its Directorate of Research.
The operations span seven illegal mining-prone regions, structured into 21 zones to enhance surveillance and enforcement.
Four of the zones cover the Western, Central, Eastern and Ashanti regions, while the Western North Region has been divided into three sectors—Enchi, Bibiani and Sefwi. The remaining zones cover the Bono and Ahafo enclave, as well as the northern Savannah belt.
Colonel Buah explained that the zones were established to target illegal mining activities, particularly around water bodies, forest reserves and critical national installations.
He noted that NAIMOS draws personnel from key security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau, the Immigration Service and the Narcotics Control Commission.
On land restoration, Colonel Buah said the secretariat is supervising reclamation efforts, citing Manso Adubia in the Ashanti Region, where more than 800 acres of degraded land have been restored.
He added that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, was present during the reclamation exercise.
NAIMOS operates under a ministerial advisory group chaired by the Lands Minister and comprising the Ministers for the Interior, Defence, Finance and Local Government, the Attorney-General, the National Security Coordinator and the Executive Secretary to the President. Colonel Buah said the group meets regularly to review operations and allocate resources.
On efforts to curb illegal mining sustainably, Colonel Buah said a Responsible Cooperative and Skill Development Programme is being rolled out to provide alternative livelihoods.
He explained that district assemblies are registering miners and allocating authorised sites for regulated mining activities.
Colonel Buah added that NAIMOS will provide quarterly updates on its operational progress.
