A GNA feature by Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Oct. 23, GNA–The fight against illegal mining in Ghana has often been marked by frustration, false starts and environmental devastation. Yet, emerging developments from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) during its maiden press conference on Thursday, October 22,2026, suggests that the country may be entering a new phase in its battle against the menace.
Recent operations conducted by NAIMOS from June 13 to September 30,2026, shows signs of ecological recovery in polluted rivers, and a renewed emphasis on intelligence-led enforcement offer reasons for cautious optimism.Environmental analysts believe that lasting victory over galamsey will require a collective national effort that extends beyond military operations to include communities, traditional leaders, the media, policymakers and the justice system.
For decades, illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has threatened Ghana’s rivers, forests, farmlands and communities. Water bodies that once sustained livelihoods became heavily polluted, while vast forest reserves suffered extensive degradation.Against this backdrop, the latest figures released by NAIMOS offer encouraging signs. Between June and September 2026, the Secretariat conducted 738 operational activities across the country, covering more than 50,000 kilometres. The operations resulted in the destruction of 1,970 changfans, 863 illegal mining structures and the recovery of 74 firearms and 551 rounds of ammunition.These figures demonstrate the scale of enforcement now being directed at illegal mining networks. More importantly, there are emerging environmental gains.
According to Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, rivers such as the Ankobra, Bia, Tano and Birim are showing signs of recovery.”Recent reports indicate that fish have returned to the Bia River,” Col. Appiah announced, describing it as evidence that sustained interventions can yield positive ecological outcomes. For many environmentalists and residents living along polluted rivers, such developments provide tangible evidence that environmental restoration is possible when enforcement is sustained.
Political Will: The Foundation of Progress
One of the recurring criticisms of previous anti-galamsey campaigns has been inconsistency in enforcement and perceived political interference. Successive governments launched operations that produced short-term gains but often struggled to sustain momentum.Col. Appiah acknowledged the importance of political support, expressing appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for providing the direction and logistics necessary for operations. The significance of political will cannot be overstated. Illegal mining is no longer a small-scale environmental issue. It has evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise involving financiers, equipment suppliers, transport operators and influential actors. Tackling such networks requires unwavering commitment from the highest levels of government. Political leaders must therefore continue to support law enforcement agencies, insulate operations from undue influence and ensure adequate funding for environmental protection.
Going Beyond Arrests: Unmasking the Kingpins
One of the most critical challenges in Ghana’s anti-galamsey fight is the tendency to focus on operators at mining sites while the financiers and masterminds remain untouched.Excavator operators, labourers and machine attendants are often arrested, yet many of the individuals who finance and profit from the operations remain hidden.Col. Appiah rightly emphasised the need to target financiers, equipment suppliers and facilitators.”Our operational focus must continue to target the financiers, equipment suppliers and facilitators who sustain illegal mining,” he noted.
This approach is essential if Ghana is to win the fight. The destruction of equipment may disrupt operations temporarily, but dismantling criminal networks requires following financial trails, prosecuting sponsors and seizing illegally acquired assets.The Economic and Organised Crime Office, Financial Intelligence Centre, Police Criminal Investigations Department and other investigative agencies must therefore strengthen collaboration to expose and prosecute those who profit most from environmental destruction.
The Critical Role of Prosecution
Environmental advocates believe that enforcement alone is insufficient. Arrests that do not lead to successful prosecution weaken public confidence and reduce deterrence.NAIMOS has emphasised evidence preservation and collaboration with investigative bodies to support successful prosecution.”Our responsibility extends to preserving evidence and supporting the justice process so that enforcement can produce credible deterrence,” Col. Appiah stated.The judiciary has a vital role in ensuring that offenders face meaningful sanctions. Speedy trials, appropriate sentencing and consistency in legal outcomes are necessary to discourage future violations.When people witness illegal miners returning to operations shortly after arrest, confidence in the justice system erodes. Effective prosecution therefore remains one of the strongest weapons against galamsey.
Communities: The First Line of Defence
Perhaps one of the most encouraging aspects of the current strategy is the recognition that local communities are indispensable partners.Illegal mining does not occur in secret. In most cases, residents know where operations are taking place, who is involved and when equipment is moved.
According to NAIMOS, intelligence from communities has become an integral part of its operations. Residents have supplied GPS coordinates and information that enabled the deployment of operational teams to prevent illegal mining activities.”Traditional authorities, district assemblies, landowners and residents have a vital role in supporting lawful activity and providing credible information,” Col. Appiah emphasised. Communities therefore serve as the nation’s eyes and ears. Their willingness to report suspicious activities could determine whether illegal miners gain access to rivers and forests.Community vigilance committees, environmental watchdog groups and youth organisations can all become powerful allies in protecting natural resources.
Traditional Authorities Must Lead the Way
Optimists believe that traditional authorities occupy a unique position in the anti-galamsey struggle.Chiefs and opinion leaders are custodians of much of the land on which illegal mining occurs. Their influence can either facilitate environmental degradation or promote sustainable resource management.Some chiefs have been commended for resisting illegal miners and safeguarding community lands. Others have faced allegations of complicity.The current campaign presents an opportunity for traditional leaders to assume a more proactive role by rejecting illegal mining activities, supporting environmental education and collaborating with enforcement agencies.Future generations will judge traditional leaders not merely by the wealth generated during their tenure, but by the condition of the lands and rivers they leave behind.
The Media as a National Watchdog
The media remains one of the most powerful tools in the anti-galamsey campaign.
Investigative reports over the years have exposed environmental destruction, uncovered hidden networks and sustained public attention on the issue.Col. Appiah acknowledged this role when he appealed for informed public scrutiny and accurate reporting.The media’s responsibility extends beyond covering arrests and equipment seizures. Journalists must continue investigating hidden networks, exposing corruption, highlighting success stories and educating the public about environmental conservation.Sustained media attention ensures that illegal mining remains a national priority rather than a temporary political issue.
Innovation Must Drive the Next Phase
Political and environmental watchers believe that while enforcement remains important, Ghana must increasingly embrace innovation in combating illegal mining.Several interventions could strengthen current efforts.Environmental advocates have insisted that modern drones can monitor inaccessible forest reserves and river systems in real time. High-resolution imagery can help identify illegal activities before extensive environmental damage occurs.Satellite technology can detect land disturbances, vegetation loss and changes along river corridors, allowing authorities to respond more quickly.Predictive analytics can help identify emerging hotspots, track operational patterns and improve deployment strategies.
Community Reporting Platforms
Environmental advocates believe that mobile applications and toll-free reporting systems can allow citizens to anonymously submit evidence, photographs and GPS coordinates of suspected illegal mining sites.Technology can be used to continuously track water quality indicators, providing early warning signs of mining pollution.Such innovations would complement ground operations and improve the effectiveness of intelligence-led interventions.
Creating Sustainable Alternatives
Most Ghanaians believe that no anti-galamsey strategy can succeed if legitimate economic alternatives are absent.They believe that many young people engage in illegal mining because it offers quick financial rewards in areas where employment opportunities are limited.Recognising this reality, government has begun supporting Community Cooperative Mining Schemes. Nine such schemes were recently inaugurated in the Western Region to provide lawful mining opportunities and discourage illegal activities.However, alternative livelihood programmes must extend beyond mining. Agriculture, aquaculture, agro-processing, eco-tourism, forestry enterprises and vocational training can provide sustainable income sources.Young people who see viable pathways to prosperity are less likely to risk involvement in illegal mining.
Securing the Gains Made So Far
Col. Appiah says NAIMOS has plans to deploy a dedicated riverine unit on the Ankobra River and launch Operation Green Shield in the Atewa Forest Reserve reflect an important strategic shift.The challenge is no longer simply clearing illegal mining sites. It is preventing illegal miners from returning.As Col. Appiah stated during NAIMOS press conference recently, success must be measured by whether cleared areas remain secure, illegal activity declines, cases advance through the justice system and environmental recovery becomes measurable.This philosophy recognises that sustainable environmental protection requires long-term monitoring and institutional presence.
The battle against illegal mining cannot be won by NAIMOS, the military or the government alone.It requires chiefs who refuse to compromise their communities’ future, citizens who report wrongdoing, journalists who pursue the truth, prosecutors who secure convictions and policymakers who remain committed to environmental protection. Ghana’s future water security, food production, biodiversity and public health depend on the decisions made today. The fight against galamsey is ultimately a fight for the nation’s future.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Writer: Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Email: [email protected]