The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has expressed frustration over what it calls persistent interference from powerful figures—especially chiefs and politicians—that continues to cripple Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Sekondi on Sunday, December 7, the Deputy Director of Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Satekla, said the agency remains committed to ending galamsey but its work is being undermined by influential actors who protect illegal miners.
Lt. Col. Satekla, who briefed 14 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Western Region and two Regional Police Commanders, stressed that illegal mining hotspots demand strict enforcement and full collaboration from local authorities to maintain effective “no-go” zones.
He noted that this cooperation is often sabotaged.
“Every institution has challenges, and we are no exception. One of our key challenges is interference from influential people. We encounter this from politicians, chiefs, and other stakeholders in areas where we operate, and it is a big problem that must be addressed. Another critical challenge is logistics,” he said.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson reaffirmed government’s resolve to combat illegal mining, urging MMDCEs to support President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign to end galamsey.
