The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has resunmed it campaign to fight illegal mining (galamsey) in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.

The taskforce targeted and destroyed makeshift camps set up in the forest.

Recently, the task force carried out several raids in the Apemkro and Anwiafutu areas, pulling down mining camps that were damaging the forest in the hunt for gold.

In their latest mission at Ataso, the team took possession of two excavators and destroyed water pumps and other tools used for the illegal mining activities.

Unfortunately, the illegal miners managed to flee the vicinity.

NAIMOS has also destroyed a well-known illegal mining base at Aboso in the Western Region, referred to as 'Gunway.'

'Gunway' is a neighbourhood known for harboring hardened illegal miners. It was raided through an intense intelligence effort on Monday, October 5, 2025.

The operation resulted in the demolition of several makeshift structures that served as drug dens and hideouts within the crime-infested enclave at Aboso in the Prestea-Huni Valley District.

Beyond the demolition, the taskforce confiscated multiple pieces of mining equipment used for illicit operations that have been destroying the environment.

During the raid, some residents engaged in illegal mining, gambling, drug use, and narcotics trading surrendered to the NAIMOS officers on site.

Authorities also recovered quantities of hard drugs from the suspects, including seven parcels of Indian hemp.

A similar operation was conducted by NAIMOS in June this year, during which criminal groups were warned to vacate the 'Galamsey' area.

However, despite persistent appeals from traditional leaders and locals, the offenders continued their illegal activities.

Weeks ago, the Commanding Officer in charge of Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Colonel Dominic Buah, signaled an imminent and aggressive crackdown on illegal miners in the country.

According to him, they are the most wanted offenders in the country. Thus, his outfit would support the exposure of individuals destroying the country's water bodies.

"I would like to send this warning to illegal miners, their assignees and financiers that they are the first or prime enemies of the state, and they will be dealt with as such.

"There will be no room for them to escape or to hide. NAIMOS will smoke them out very soon. There's no resting place for them," he said at a stakeholder engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that scientific tests are being carried out on new chemicals that could help restore polluted waterbodies and rivers due to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on Galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, with members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said, "There are new chemicals that have come that allow you to treat water and take out the toxins and the heavy metals. One of them is called dowtine. The people came, and we sent them there. They took samples, tested. We are waiting for them to bring the results back."

He has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the longstanding battle against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said declaring a state of emergency will not end the menace.

According to him, government advisors believe the country can overcome galamsey by adopting best practices in small-scale mining, including technologies that help neutralize or remove harmful chemicals from water bodies. Additionally, the President pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.

President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.

“While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes, let’s fight the illegal mining but at the same time, let’s bring the new technology that will help us protect our environment.

“Now with the elephant in the room, state of emergency, yes, I have the power to do it, but the president acts on the advice of the National Security Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without declaring a state of emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I won’t hesitate,” he added.