The Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has suffered a violent attack led by a sitting Member of Parliament in Ghana’s Ahafo Region.
This troubling turn of events, once again highlights the challenges faced by authorities in their efforts to combat the scourge of illegal mining in the country.
The Director, Col. Dominic Buah, accompanied by a team of ten soldiers, was conducting a routine reconnaissance mission in the Ahafo Region to identify a suitable location for a permanent NAIMOS field task force deployment.
During their journey, the team stumbled upon an active illegal mining operation along the Goaso to Hwidiem highway in the Asunafo North Municipal in the Ahafo Region.
Upon apprehending the suspects and instructing them to refill the pits, the situation quickly escalated when a group of armed individuals, including the local Member of Parliament, arrived on the scene.
“The fight against illegal mining requires all citizens, especially influential figures in the society, to act on the side of the law, not to shield offenders or incite rogues to obstruct justice.”
Col. Dominic Buah
Justice and Incitement of Violence
According to the report, the Member of Parliament, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, arrived with a group of thugs and “demanded that the Director releases the arrested kingpins including a Burkinabe immediately and remove their handcuffs, arguing that he did not want the locals to see them in handcuffs”.
Col. Buah politely declined the unlawful request, upholding the principle of due process.
In response, the MP and his supporters became violent, forcibly removing the handcuffs from the suspects and chasing the NAIMOS team as they attempted to transport the apprehended individuals to the police station.
The incident shines a spotlight on the ongoing battle against illegal mining in the country, a scourge that has devastated the country’s natural resources and ecosystems.
NAIMOS, the government agency tasked with combating this menace, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore the integrity of Ghana’s forests, rivers, and lands.
The Director’s reconnaissance mission was part of the Secretariat’s strategic plan to maintain a sustained presence in the field and disrupt the operations of illegal miners.
Political Interference
The attack on the NAIMOS Director depicts the entrenched interests and political influence that often shield illegal mining activities.
The involvement of the sitting Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo in this incident is a troubling demonstration of how powerful individuals can actively impede efforts to enforce the law and protect the environment.
The confrontation at Hwidiem quickly spiraled out of control, with a “mob, incited by Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, demanding the immediate release of the arrested suspects and seized vehicles. They warned that they would “discipline” the soldiers if their demands were ignored”.
The situation turned violent, with the Director’s vehicle being vandalized and the mob threatening to burn down the police station.
This volatile scenario placed the lives of the NAIMOS team and the local law enforcement officers at grave risk, signaling the need for a coordinated and resolute response to such challenges.
Determination and Commitment
Despite the intense pressure and threats, the NAIMOS team, the police, and the military were able to defuse the situation through a joint decision to release the keys to the seized vehicles. The Zongo Chief of Hwidiem then facilitated the safe evacuation of the Director and his team to the nearby Newtown Site, although they were still subjected to physical attacks during the process.
The Director of Operations of NAIMOS has expressed the Secretariat’s continued determination to combat illegal mining, despite the unfortunate incident.
“NAIMOS remains poised despite the unfortunate incident and warns all galamseyers to desist from any such acts in the future. 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.”
Col. Dominic Buah
This attack on the NAIMOS Director serves as a stark reminder of the formidable challenges faced by those entrusted with safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources.
The involvement of a sitting Member of Parliament in obstructing the law and inciting violence underscores the deep-rooted nature of the illegal mining problem and the need for a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the environmental and political dimensions of this crisis.
While NAIMOS forges ahead in its mission, the resilience and commitment of its personnel will be crucial in overcoming such obstacles and ultimately restoring the integrity of Ghana’s mining sector.
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