The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has called for a more decisive and forceful approach by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in dealing with illegal miners across the country.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, November 3, Mr. Kotoko said the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, will continue to face resistance, but the task force must remain firm and uncompromising.

“NAIMOS will always meet resistance, and they have always overpowered resistance. It also means that in furtherance of the discharge of their duties as given them by the President, through the sector minister, they will need to also beef up their security.

"I would even say that they should begin to ruthlessly deal with persons who are engaged in this illegality that we all frown on,” he stated.

His comments follow a violent confrontation between residents and members of the NAIMOS task force at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

The clash reportedly erupted after the task force arrested two men at a mining site near Hwidiem and seized vehicles and equipment believed to have been used for illegal mining.

The arrests triggered outrage among some residents, who later besieged the local police station, demanding the release of the suspects and the impounded vehicles.

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Security has since been reinforced in the area, and calm has been restored, while police investigations into the disturbance and property damage continue.