The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, has called for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to be established through a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to strengthen Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong, who serves as the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, argued that providing a legal framework for NAIMOS would clearly define its mandate, powers, structure, accountability mechanisms and operational independence while ensuring continuity in anti-galamsey efforts across different political administrations.
The call was contained in a statement issued in support of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s nationwide anti-galamsey campaign.
According to the statement, successive governments have introduced various interventions to combat illegal mining, including Operation Vanguard, GalamStop and, more recently, NAIMOS. However, the challenge has persisted despite these efforts.
The statement stressed that simply rebranding anti-galamsey initiatives was insufficient to address a problem of such national significance.
“What Ghana needs is a sustainable institutional framework that transcends political administrations,” it stated.
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong argued that a properly structured and legally backed NAIMOS would provide a more credible, permanent and effective national response to the illegal mining menace.
Depoliticising the Fight Against Galamsey
The statement further emphasised that the fight against illegal mining should be treated as a national governance and law enforcement issue rather than a partisan political matter.
“We believe that a key step in arresting and sustainably containing galamsey is to deliberately remove it from partisan politics and treat it as a strictly national enforcement and governance issue,” the statement said.
It noted that illegal mining activities have, at various times, been facilitated or protected by politically exposed persons and other influential actors, highlighting the need for institutions capable of operating independently of political influence.
According to the statement, granting legal backing to NAIMOS would help insulate anti-galamsey operations from political interference and strengthen enforcement efforts.
Support for Presbyterian Church Campaign
The Mampong MP also welcomed the Presbyterian Church’s decision to launch a nationwide campaign against illegal mining.
He described the church’s “Red Sunday” initiative as a reflection of growing public concern over the destruction of rivers, forests and farmlands caused by galamsey activities.
The statement commended the church for adding its voice to the national conversation and called on faith-based organisations, civil society groups, traditional authorities, the media and citizens to support the campaign.
It added that the increasing involvement of religious institutions in the fight against illegal mining underscores the urgency of the environmental crisis and the need for renewed national commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources.
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong maintained that only a coordinated, non-partisan and institutionally driven approach would deliver lasting results in the country’s efforts to eradicate illegal mining.
