Officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) narrowly escaped death in a mob assault at Hwediem in the Ahafo Region on Saturday, November 1.

The officials came under violent attack while carrying out their day-to-day activities as part of efforts to crack down on illegal mining in the Ahafo Region.The operation resulted in the arrest of several miners, including a Burkinabe national.

Locals were seen in a video that has since gone viral confronting the anti-mining task force and calling for the release of those arrested during the operation.

Speaking to the media, NAIMOS spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, described the attack as “extremely and profoundly disappointing,” adding, “It was a huge surprise that the locals became agitated, demanding the release of those arrested, and then began attacking the NAIMOS team.”

According to him, the officials “survived clearly by the mercy of God. If you look at how they were charged, the rest of the team could have lost their lives.”

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been accused of inciting the mob against the NAIMOS team.

Last month, NAIMOS stormed the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region, where it targeted and destroyed makeshift camps set up in the forest. Recently, the task force also 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 seized two excavators and destroyed water pumps and other tools used for illegal mining activities. Unfortunately, the illegal miners managed to flee the area before their arrest.

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-led operation 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 task force 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 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 areas. 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 among the most wanted offenders in the country. Therefore, his outfit will support efforts to expose individuals destroying Ghana’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.

The government established the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat in July as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the country. Speaking during an update on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed that the newly established Secretariat will act as the brain of Ghana’s anti-illegal mining operations.

“To coordinate the efforts of the military, police, and other security agencies, the ministry has established the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as the operational nerve-centre for Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining,” he stated.

The Secretariat’s responsibility is to collaborate with other key institutions such as the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance (GRA–Customs Division), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as part of its mandate.This collaboration is expected to ensure that excavators and other earth-moving equipment entering the country are not diverted for illegal mining activities.

“In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance (GRA–Customs Division), and the Ports and Harbours Authority, we have initiated a proactive tracking of all imports of excavators and earth-moving equipment from the point of entry,” he added.

Illegal mining activities continue to pose a major challenge to the country. Several Chinese nationals have been involved in such illegal operations, leading to multiple arrests.

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

Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, with members of 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 the calls of many Ghanaians 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 and invests additional resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to ending 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.