The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has unequivocally condemned the recent attacks on officials of the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) within the illegal mining zones across the country.
The ministry also justified the swoop operation carried out in those mining areas where NAIMOS officers were attached.
The Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Mr. Paa Kwesi Schandorf, conveyed the profound sorrow and distress felt by the Minister and the entire Ministry over the tragic loss of a NAIMOS soldier during operations in Obuasi.
“Because if men and women devote themselves to making the environment safe, I think the last thing we should do to them is to attack them for whatever reason.”
Mr. Paa Kwesi Schandorf
Schandorf expressed the Ministry’s deepest condolences to the family of Private Sarfo Agyapong Collins, the fallen NAIMOS soldier.
“The Minister takes the matter very seriously. In fact, if I were to paint a picture of how he was when he got the news, he was very distraught. We saw his mood. It wasn’t something he was particularly excited about at all.”
Mr. Paa Kwesi Schandorf
Ministry’s Commitment
The Ministry made it a priority to visit and provide support to the family of the deceased soldier, recognizing the sacrifices made by the men and women of NAIMOS in their efforts to combat illegal mining.
Schandorf assured that the Ministry is making “relevant arrangements to ensure that, yes, we honour him, but then he has also left a family behind. And so there is a dispensation to accommodate for that.”
The Ministry’s sympathy extends not only to the family of the fallen soldier but to the entire NAIMOS team. Schandorf stressed, “The whole ministry extends their good wishes in that respect.”
Swoop Operation
In response to the attacks on NAIMOS officials, the military conducted a swoop operation, which Schandorf defended as a necessary step to gather intelligence and aid the ongoing investigation.
He explained that the military had been called in to survey the community and conduct intelligence gathering, as the reports indicated that the entire community had confronted the NAIMOS officials.
“From the footages that we saw, even from the specific report from the Director of Operations of NAIMOS, it appeared that it was, if you like, the whole community that came out to confront them. And so the swoop was justified because it’s all about intelligence gathering. You can’t arrest everybody in the community.”
Mr. Paa Kwesi Schandorf
The Ministry’s stance is clear – any attacks on NAIMOS officials will not be tolerated.
Schandorf emphasized, “Even if we have disagreements, I believe that there are forums where we can address all of those grievances. But to pounce on them, to inflict injury and cause them discomfort, I think that is not the way to go.”
The ongoing investigations aim to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the attacks, with the assurance that “nobody who is implicated will be spared.”
Illegal Mining and Expediting Prosecutions
The Ministry’s crackdown on illegal mining operations resulted in a significant number of arrests, with Schandorf revealing that since the inception of NAIMOS in March, approximately 1,500 arrests have been made.
However, the challenge lies in the complexities and delays in the justice system, which have hindered the expeditious prosecution of those caught in the act.
To address this issue, the Ministry is in the process of setting up specialized tribunals to fast-track the legal proceedings.
According to Schandorf, prosecutions are at various levels.
“The thing is, you know, generally in a justice dispensation system, sometimes it’s a bit complex and maybe slightly slow. It becomes steady a little. And that is why even now we are rolling out and setting up the specialised tribunals that are designed to fast-track the prosecutions with respect to illegal mining.”
Mr. Paa Kwesi Schandorf
The Ministry’s commitment to tackling illegal mining is unwavering, and the establishment of these specialized tribunals is a clear indication of their determination to ensure that those caught in the act face swift and decisive justice.
Mr. Schandorf also pointed out the need for a robust and efficient legal framework to address this pressing issue.
The Ministry’s condemnation of the attacks on NAIMOS officials and its justified response through the swoop operation sends a strong message – the safety and wellbeing of those tasked with protecting the environment and natural resources are of paramount importance, and any attempts to hinder their efforts will be met with firm and resolute action.
The Ministry’s efforts to honor the fallen soldier and support his family, while also expediting the prosecution of those involved in illegal mining, demonstrate their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country’s natural resources and ensuring justice is served.
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