Lands Minister Launches National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to Boost Galamsey Fight

Lands Minister Launches NAIMOS to Strengthen Anti-Galamsey Efforts

Accra, Ghana – In a renewed effort to combat illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has launched the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Accra.

The newly established Secretariat will serve as a central coordination hub for all national efforts aimed at eradicating illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Minister emphasized that the fight against illegal mining remains a top priority for the government and requires a more structured and permanent approach.

“The establishment of NAIMOS is a major milestone in our battle against illegal mining. It will provide operational direction, intelligence gathering, and strategic coordination among all stakeholders involved in protecting our natural resources,” he said.

NAIMOS is expected to work closely with the Minerals Commission, Ghana Armed Forces, the Forestry Commission, the Ghana Police Service, and local authorities. It will also liaise with regional task forces to ensure a synchronized national approach.

The Secretariat will be housed within the Minerals Commission and will have a dedicated team of professionals tasked with real-time monitoring, data collection, and enforcement oversight.

The launch comes at a time when the country continues to grapple with the environmental and social impacts of galamsey, including the pollution of major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin. Recent satellite imagery and reports from the Water Resources Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have highlighted ongoing damage to ecosystems in mining hotspots despite previous government interventions.

Stakeholder Reactions

Environmental advocacy groups and civil society organizations have welcomed the move, though they caution that the success of NAIMOS will depend on political will, transparency, and sustained funding.

“It’s a positive step, but NAIMOS must operate independently and without political interference if it is to succeed,” said Nana Ama Poku, an environmental policy analyst with the NGO Green Ghana Watch.

The government has committed to strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing community engagement, and deploying technology in the anti-galamsey fight. With NAIMOS in place, expectations are high for more effective and coordinated enforcement.

As the Secretariat begins operations, many Ghanaians are hopeful that this new institution will mark a turning point in the country’s long and difficult battle to preserve its natural environment.