The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Ghana has emphasized the need for a sustained national effort to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey. According to Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Spokesperson and Media Relations Officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the fight against illegal mining should not be reduced to partisan political arguments. Schandorf stressed that Ghana must break the cycle where illegal mining worsens around changes in government.
Schandorf made these comments on Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily on Monday, September 28, 2026. He stated that the government is working around the clock to deal with the menace, but requires cooperation from communities where the activity takes place. The persistence of galamsey, he noted, also requires sustained security presence at illegal mining hotspots. This comes after NAIMOS arrested 13 suspected illegal miners during an operation at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.
The operation at Osino followed an earlier intervention at the same location, after which illegal miners reportedly returned to the site. NAIMOS has said the recurrence highlights the need for sustained security presence at these hotspots. Schandorf cited the situation at Osino, where locals reportedly brought illegal miners back to the site only days after an earlier operation. He attributed this to the economic benefits some residents claim to derive from illegal mining.
According to Schandorf, some residents continue to support illegal mining because they benefit economically from it, making the fight more difficult for security agencies. He emphasized that community support is crucial to tackle the issue effectively. The Secretariat's call for community support comes as the government intensifies efforts to deal decisively with the issue of illegal mining.
The fight against illegal mining has been a longstanding challenge in Ghana, with the country's natural resources being affected. NAIMOS has been working to coordinate efforts to combat the menace. Schandorf's comments reflect the government's commitment to addressing the issue. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been actively involved in efforts to tackle illegal mining.
The situation at Osino is a case in point, where despite earlier interventions, illegal miners returned to the site. This highlights the need for sustained efforts to tackle the issue. NAIMOS and other stakeholders are working to ensure that illegal mining is brought under control. Community support is seen as crucial in achieving this goal.
The government has reiterated its commitment to tackling illegal mining, with Schandorf emphasizing that a sustained effort is required to make progress. The fight against galamsey requires a collaborative approach, involving communities, security agencies, and other stakeholders. By working together, Ghana can make significant progress in tackling the issue of illegal mining.
Key points
- The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 13 suspected illegal miners during an operation at Osino in the Eastern Region.
- The fight against illegal mining requires cooperation from communities where the activity takes place.
- Ghana's government is working around the clock to deal decisively with the issue of illegal mining.
