Deal ruthlessly with ‘galamseyers’ – Lands Minister to NAIMOS

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has directed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) Task Force to deal ruthlessly with illegal miners as the government intensifies its fight against galamsey.

He reiterated the administration’s determination to end illegal mining, describing it as a national security threat that demands urgent and decisive action.

Speaking at the deployment of the NAIMOS Task Force in Sunyani on Sunday, September 28, 2025, Mr Buah stressed that the team has the full support of President John Dramani Mahama.

“The fight against illegal mining is not going to stop, and every measure at the Presidency is going to be used. I charge you with a profound sense of duty and patriotism. Any recalcitrant who enters these zones is not only a trespasser, but also an enemy of the state. You are to be firm, resolute, and ruthless.

You will take no obtrusive intrusion from any big man. Remember, the biggest man in Ghana is the President, and he is the one who has sent you,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, urged security personnel to enforce the law without fear or favour, stressing that political affiliation must never interfere with the anti-galamsey fight.

The deployment of NAIMOS is expected to intensify nationwide operations aimed at reclaiming degraded lands and protecting water bodies from the destructive impact of illegal mining.