NAIMOS Targets Two More Rivers in Renewed Fight Against Galamsey

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) is preparing to extend its river protection operations to two more major water bodies before the end of 2026, as it intensifies efforts to curb illegal mining and prevent miners from returning to cleared areas.

Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel S.K. Appiah, announced the plan during the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Progress Series media briefing, where he outlined the Secretariat’s operations and achievements from June 13 to September 30, 2026.

He said the next phase of the campaign would focus on sustaining the gains made along the River Birim and the Ankobra under Operation Water Shield, while expanding enforcement to other affected areas.

The Secretariat is also preparing to roll out Operation Green Shield, a sustained intervention targeting illegal mining in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

Col. Appiah said the strategy was not limited to removing illegal miners but also involved preventing them from returning through regular patrols, intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with other security agencies.

He disclosed that NAIMOS was working with the Ghana Navy to establish a dedicated riverine unit to strengthen surveillance and protect water bodies from renewed illegal mining activities.

Providing details of enforcement during the period under review, Col. Appiah said hundreds of suspected illegal miners had been arrested and handed over to the police and other relevant authorities. Some had been put before the courts, while others were on remand or had been granted bail.

The Secretariat also seized more than 100 excavators, which have been secured at designated holding areas across the regions.

According to him, NAIMOS is documenting the chassis numbers and GPS locations of the seized machines to support legal proceedings aimed at securing their confiscation by the state.

Addressing concerns about the sustainability of operations after enforcement teams leave affected communities, Col. Appiah said the military could not remain permanently stationed in every illegal mining hotspot.

He explained that NAIMOS would first clear and stabilise affected areas before gradually handing over routine monitoring and protection duties to the appropriate security agencies, the Forestry Commission and local communities.

The Secretariat is also strengthening its collaboration with Blue Water Guards and other intelligence agencies to improve information-sharing and coordinate responses to illegal mining activities.

Col. Appiah reaffirmed NAIMOS’ commitment to a carefully planned enforcement strategy, saying the aim was to achieve lasting results rather than conduct widespread operations that would allow illegal miners to return once security teams withdrew.

The planned expansion of river protection operations is expected to reinforce efforts to safeguard Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves while protecting areas already cleared of illegal mining.

Grace Acheampong, ISD