The Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Colonel Dominic Buah, has commended Ghanaian journalists for their contribution to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He singled out award-winning Multimedia environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor and UTV reporter Charles Egyir for their outstanding work.

According to Colonel Buah, the two journalists have not only consistently reported on NAIMOS operations over the past ten months but have also provided critical intelligence to support the task force’s activities.

He made these remarks at the maiden NAIMOS Editors’ Forum and Quarterly Press Briefing held on March 25, 2026, at the ISD Press Centre in Accra.

Media partnership critical to anti-galamsey efforts

Colonel Buah stressed that NAIMOS cannot execute its mandate in isolation and requires the sustained support of key stakeholders, particularly the media.

He noted that the role of journalists in exposing illegal mining activities and shaping public awareness remains indispensable in the national effort to curb the menace.

Forum outlines operations, challenges and strategy

The Editors’ Forum provided a platform for NAIMOS to account for its operations over the past ten months, while outlining key challenges and strategic priorities in the ongoing fight against galamsey.

The Secretariat detailed its enforcement approach, including continuous surveillance, coordinated field operations and the destruction of illegal mining equipment.

NAIMOS, a specialised task force established in June 2025 by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, operates as a centralised, high-skill, 24-hour surveillance unit focused on protecting the country’s natural resources.

Key issues highlighted at the forum included logistical constraints, the need for enhanced inter-agency collaboration and the importance of intelligence-led operations to sustain progress.

Seized equipment is fully accounted for

Addressing public concerns, NAIMOS assured that all excavators and weapons seized during anti-galamsey operations over the past ten months remain fully accounted for and secure.

Colonel Buah stated that the equipment has been stored at designated locations under strict supervision, pending further directives.

He added that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will determine the next course of action in line with established policy and legal procedures.

The forum forms part of NAIMOS’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at strengthening transparency, improving public trust and reinforcing collective action against illegal mining in Ghana.