The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has raised serious concerns about persistent interference from powerful individuals, particularly chiefs and politicians, which it says continues to hinder Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Sekondi on Sunday, December 7, the Deputy Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Satekla, said the secretariat remains committed to tackling galamsey, but influential actors are posing one of its biggest operational challenges.
Addressing 14 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Western Region, along with two Regional Police Commanders, Lt. Col. Satekla stressed that illegal mining hotspots require strict enforcement measures and full cooperation from local authorities to maintain effective “no-go” zones.
He noted that although local support is vital to the success of anti-galamsey operations, it is frequently compromised.
“Every institution has challenges, and we are no exception. One of our key challenges is interference from influential people. We encounter this from politicians, chiefs, and other stakeholders in areas where we operate, and it is a big problem that must be addressed. Another critical challenge is logistics,” he said.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending illegal mining and urged all MMDCEs to support President John Dramani Mahama’s renewed and intensified efforts to eradicate galamsey.
Source: adomonline.com
