We’ve recorded 87.7% success rate in anti-galamsey operations – NAIMOS

The Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat says intensified operations have delivered measurable gains, with an 87.7% success rate recorded since July 2025.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has reiterated its resolve to tackle illegal mining, insisting the fight against galamsey remains a critical national priority.

At a media engagement held at the ISD Press Centre in Accra, the Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Buah, outlined the Secretariat’s performance, highlighting a sharp improvement in enforcement outcomes.

He explained that the progress reflects a deliberate shift from disjointed interventions to a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operational model.

Colonel Buah warned that illegal mining has grown beyond an environmental problem, evolving into a serious national concern that threatens water bodies, forest reserves and the livelihoods of communities.

“This is no longer just an environmental issue, it is an existential threat to Ghana,” he stated.

Providing operational details, he said NAIMOS has, within ten months of its establishment, built a unified command system integrating the military, police, immigration and intelligence agencies under a single structure. This, he noted, has significantly improved coordination and efficiency across all seven operational zones.

Between July 2025 and March 2026, the Secretariat conducted 122 operations, leading to the arrest of 237 individuals, including 144 foreign nationals.

According to him, all operations are guided by intelligence and focused on tangible outcomes. He disclosed that 94 excavators have been seized and immobilised, while 2,647 Chanfang mining platforms have been destroyed.

Colonel Buah further revealed that 59 firearms and 208 rounds of ammunition were retrieved during the operations, an indication of the increasing sophistication and militarisation associated with illegal mining activities.

He added that consistent enforcement efforts are beginning to produce environmental improvements, with early signs of recovery observed along key rivers, including the Ankobra and Ayensu.

Despite the progress, he acknowledged the dangers faced by personnel on the ground, referencing incidents involving attacks, injuries and fatalities during operations.

Looking ahead, the NAIMOS Director of Operations indicated that the Secretariat will scale up its activities nationwide, with particular attention on river bodies, forest reserves and major mining corridors.

He announced plans to roll out nine permanent field task forces in phases across identified hotspots to maintain a continuous operational presence.

“These deployments will ensure continuous monitoring rather than sporadic raids,” he explained.

He also noted that closer collaboration with the Blue Water Guards, alongside enhanced training and regular rotation of personnel, will be prioritised to boost efficiency while reducing risks of compromise and corruption.

NAIMOS was set up in June 2025 by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to serve as a central coordinating body leading Ghana’s fight against illegal mining through intelligence-led, multi-agency operations.