The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has struck again, this time at the Hiawa Koofrom area in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region.
The intelligence-led operation yielded results as three Chinese nationals were arrested, weapons seized, and the excavators used for destructive mining along the Ankobrah River were also impounded.
Acting on credible information from an informant, the NAIMOS taskforce swiftly deployed to the Hiawa Koofrom area, where they encountered both Chinese and Ghanaian illegal miners.
Despite the miners’ attempts to flee, the taskforce successfully apprehended three Chinese nationals, seizing a Nissan Navara vehicle, a pump action shotgun with four cartridges, and mobile phones belonging to the arrested suspects.
According to the Director of Operations of NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Buah, the tasks force remains committed to bringing the galamsey menace to an end.
“This operation once again demonstrates NAIMOS’s zero-tolerance stance toward illegal mining, regardless of nationality or status.”
Colonel Dominic Buah
Scale of Illegal Mining Activities
In addition to the arrests, the NAIMOS taskforce discovered two excavators alongside large heaps of sand and paydirt, evidence of the extensive environmental degradation along the Ankobrah River.
The team also discovered and destroyed several chanfang machines at another mining site located approximately 300 meters away from the initial raid.
“The successful Hiawa Koofrom operation adds to NAIMOS’s growing list of decisive actions, reinforcing its role as the only nation’s enforcement agency in the fight against illegal mining and a pillar of Ghana’s environmental protection efforts.”
Colonel Dominic Buah
Scourge of Illegal Mining
The government’s crackdown on illegal mining, has been a long-standing and complex challenge.
The devastation caused by these destructive mining practices has had unpleasant impacts on Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands, threatening the country’s ecosystem.
In response to this pressing issue, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, through the establishment of NAIMOS, has intensified its efforts to combat illegal mining activities across the country.
The Hiawa Koofrom operation is the latest in a series of successful raids carried out by the Secretariat, underscoring its unwavering commitment to dismantling illegal mining networks and restoring the country’s natural resources.
Logistical Challenges
The Hiawa Koofrom operation was not without its challenges, as the NAIMOS taskforce faced issues with faulty vehicles and rough terrain. The Director of Operations noted, “The delayed movement caused by faulty vehicles highlighted the urgent need for reliable logistics support, especially in regions where poor road networks and rough forest trails impede rapid deployment.”
Despite these logistical hurdles, the NAIMOS team remained steadfast in their mission, demonstrating the agency’s resilience and determination to confront the illegal mining scourge head-on.
Approach to Environmental Protection
The Hiawa Koofrom operation reflects NAIMOS’s comprehensive approach to addressing the illegal mining crisis.
By combining intelligence-gathering, swift deployment, and decisive action, the Secretariat has proven its ability to disrupt the operations of illegal miners, seize their equipment, and hold them accountable for their destructive actions.
The Director of Operations stated, “We will continue to pursue offenders, seize their tools of destruction, and restore our environment for future generations.”
This unwavering commitment to environmental protection and the rule of law underscores NAIMOS’s pivotal role in the government’s efforts to safeguard the country’s resources and secure a sustainable future for the country.
The success of the Hiawa Koofrom operation sends a signal to illegal miners, both domestic and foreign, that the government’s resolve to combat galamsey remains unwavering.
As NAIMOS continues to spearhead these targeted raids, the hope is that the tide will turn, and Ghana’s natural landscapes will be reclaimed for the benefit of the citizens and the environment.
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