The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) is set to deploy the first batch of 50 officers to help intensify the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the Western Region.

‎They would be stationed across three areas, namely, Ahanta West, Wassa Amenfi East municipalities, and Ellembelle District, and would also supervise the operations of the other assemblies.

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Joshua Satekla, Deputy Director of Operations at NAIMOS, said this during a stakeholder engagement with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and two Regional Police Commanders in the Western Region at Sekondi.

The meeting was to brief participants on the Secretariat’s role in combating the galamsey and seek the support from the MMDCEs for the first set of officers scheduled for deployment to the region.

Lt. Col. Satekla stated that the mandate given to the NAIMOS by the government was vital in ensuring that water bodies and forest reserves were protected from destruction by galamsey, adding that they could only achieve that with the support of all stakeholders.

He said: “We are not in to stop mining, but we are there to stop illegal mining and people mining some key priority areas, so there is a need for us to work together to ensure a sustainable environment for all.”

He, however, mentioned interference from politicians, chiefs, and other influential individuals as a major obstacle in the fight against illegal mining.

Lt. Col. Satekla said inadequate logistics were a problem hindering them from effectively delivering on their mandates.

“Our two key challenges are interference from influential people, and we have that from the politicians, chiefs and other key stakeholders in the various areas where we have worked.

“And the other one is logistics, which are big problems that we need to discuss,” he stated.

Lt. Col. Satekla, therefore, called for the full support of the local assemblies, stressing that a collective effort was essential in combating illegal mining in the country.

The MMDCEs took turns to express their support and work with the NAIMOS to help fight the galamsey menace in their respective areas.