Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Amarh Kofi-Buah, has directed the newly-formed National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to deal “firmly, resolutely, and ruthlessly” with illegal miners who defy the law.
The Minister issued the charge at the closing ceremony of a one-week training programme for the task force at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani, stressing that recalcitrant miners must be treated as “enemies of the state.”
“Any recalcitrant entering into these zones is not merely a trespasser. They are an enemy of the state. You are to be firm. You are to be resolute. You are to be ruthless. And please, take it from me, you will take no obstructionist instruction from any big man. Remember, the biggest man in Ghana is the President of the Republic, and he’s the one who has sent you,” Mr. Kofi-Buah said.
He described the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as an effort to “save the soul of the country.” According to him, government is restructuring the licensing regime for small-scale mining to eliminate politically motivated permits and ensure only qualified operators engage in responsible and sustainable mining.
“It is unthinkable that we can just be doling out licenses to political apparatchiks because they are politically connected. I’m happy to tell you that we’ve stopped that bleeding, and we are completely restructuring the licensing regime. The systems we are putting in place are not to give favours to political comrades but to those who meet the requirements and can be held accountable,” he stressed.
The NAIMOS task force, comprising personnel from the military, police, immigration service, National Intelligence Bureau, National Security, and the Narcotics Control Commission, showcased their upgraded skills in simulated role-play exercises at the ceremony.
Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Bua, commended the team’s commitment and preparedness, describing the training as a success.
“The enthusiasm and will displayed by the able men and women before us today is a testament that indeed NAIMOS is the best option for the fight against illegal mining,” Col. Bua said.
The task force is expected to be deployed soon to intensify the clampdown on illegal mining operations across the country.