Source: Africa Publicity
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources of has condemned the recent attack on members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) following a confrontation with alleged illegal miners in the Ahafo Region.
Addressing a press conference at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra on Friday, November 7, 2025, the Director of Communications of the Lands Ministry, Madam Mawusi Mawuenyefia, stated that following reports of the attack, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, immediately notified the Speaker of Parliament and the Interior Minister for swift and urgent investigations into the matter, saying that “Hon. Buah has vehemently condemned this act, describing it as unacceptable and an affront to state authority.”
Despite the unfortunate attack, she said the Ghanaian government remains committed to the fight against illegal mining in the country, popularly known as galamsey.
She recounted that following the government’s declaration of Forest Reserves and Waterbodies as Security Zones, “on Saturday, 1st November 2025, a ten-man NAIMOS team led by the Director of Operations, Col. Dominic Buah, had gone to conduct a Recce in Goaso.”
According to Madam Mawuenyefia, “the objective was to identify a suitable location for the permanent deployment of a NAIMOS field task force in line with the Secretariat’s strategic plan to sustain anti-illegal mining operations.”
She disclosed that on their way back, the team sighted an ongoing illegal mining operation by the roadside at Bonikrom — about 10 metres from the Hwidiem–Goaso highway in the Ahafo Region.
She said that according to the reports received, the miners bolted when they spotted the NAIMOS team, leaving behind a Burkinabe national who was operating the excavator.
She added that “Col. Buah instructed the suspect to refill the pits they had dug to prevent further environmental degradation. He was then asked to call the site owner. While at it, the NAIMOS field task force set ablaze shelters used as offices and shelters by the illegal miners.”
Madam Mawuenyefia explained that the first individual to arrive identified himself as a Defence Intelligence (DI) representative from the Ahafo Region. Shortly after, two other individuals arrived, claiming ownership of the site.
A search conducted on the suspects revealed several items, including “One (1) Smith & Wesson pistol, Two (2) pistol magazines, Twenty-one (21) rounds of 9mm ammunition, One (1) black side bag, Twelve (12) assorted mobile phones (including Samsung, Techno, Villanelle, and Itel brands), One power bank, and Cash amounting to GH₵11,000.00,” she told journalists, narrating that “while arrangements were being made to convey the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, some other individuals arrived at the scene, demanding the release of the arrested persons. The Director politely declined the unlawful request, maintaining that the arrests were appropriate and that the right procedure be followed through to the Police.”
According to her, the matter escalated quickly to the extent that reinforcement had to be sent from a neighbouring police station to rescue the NAIMOS personnel, who had been besieged by a growing mob threatening to burn down the police station. Col. Buah’s Toyota Hilux pickup was vandalized.
Madam Mawuenyefia commended the security personnel who intervened, stating: “We want to commend Chief Superintendent Prince Odom-Koduah, the Ahafo Regional Crime Officer, and the fifteen (15) member Regional Task Force, headed by Inspector Ofosu. They were supported by Superintendent John Atanga, Divisional Commander for Goaso, Superintendent Opoku Yamoah, District Commander for Kenyase, and other senior officers.”
“In the interest of peace and calm, and to prevent bloodshed, a decision was made by the police, the military, and the Zongo Chief to release the keys to the seized vehicles to the owners,” she continued.
“The Zongo Chief then offered his Toyota Sequoia 4×4 to evacuate Colonel Buah, the Director of Operations, and his officers to safety at the Newmont Site in Kenyase under police escort.”
She emphasized that “NAIMOS remains poised despite the unfortunate incident and warns all galamseyers to desist from any such acts in the future. The Director of Operations reiterated that the effort to combat illegal mining will continue regardless to help clean Ghana’s waters and forest as well as restore sanity in the mining space.”
She further stated that “the Inspector-General of Police has also directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the investigation to ensure impartiality and professionalism in bringing all culprits to justice.”
Touching on another related incident, Ms. Mawuenyefia revealed that “a team from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), led by the CEO Prof. Browne Kluste, were involved in a motor accident in Afari, after being chased by illegal miners at Dadwene, a community near Obuasi. Two journalists were in critical condition and several others injured.” She added that “the EPA has been intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining, and has shut down several warehouses involved in the production of illegal mining equipment.”
Conveying the Minister’s response, she stated, “Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who also doubles as Ag. Minister for MEST, wishes to convey his utmost disappointment on these incidences. He wishes to make it clear that he remains resolute and unperturbed in his resolve to deal with the matter on hand.”
Madam Mawuenyefia concluded with a strong warning: “The Ministry wishes to make it clear that illegal mining is a criminal act! Any attempt to obstruct or attack law enforcement officers engaged in anti-galamsey operations is therefore deemed an offence against the state, and anyone found culpable will be severely dealt with, no matter their political, social, or traditional status.”
“Our commitment to protect Ghana’s lands, rivers, forests, and communities is stronger than ever,” she stressed. “The recent events will not slow us down; they have only strengthened our determination. Illegal mining must stop. Ghana must win this fight.”
