The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has launched a centralised intelligence-led body to spearhead and coordinate Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, widely referred to as ‘galamsey’.

The new body, known as the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), will serve as the principal authority for initiating, supervising, and regulating all anti-illegal mining operations nationwide.

According to the Ministry, NAIMOS is the result of an inter-agency collaboration involving the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the National Security Council, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

This integrated approach is expected to provide a more robust and effective response to the environmental degradation and security threats posed by illegal mining.

“No person, individual, or organised group is allowed to embark on any anti-illegal mining operation without consulting the duly established Secretariat,” the Ministry stated.

It further emphasised that, “All anti-galamsey operations, swoops, and raids conducted without the express approval and authorisation of the Secretariat are strongly discouraged.”

The directive aims to eliminate uncoordinated efforts and ensure a unified national strategy.

The Ministry reiterated its firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and safeguarding the country’s natural environment.

“We are putting in place a range of interventions to clean up the environment and combat climate impacts,” it said.