The Secretariat has announced plans to expand its river protection operations while strengthening enforcement measures to prevent illegal miners from returning to cleared areas.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) is set to extend its river protection operations to two additional major water bodies before the end of 2026 as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel S.K. Appiah, announced this during the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Progress Series media briefing, where he outlined the Secretariat’s operations and achievements between June 13 and September 30, 2026, as well as its upcoming enforcement priorities.
He said Operation Water Shield, which began on the River Birim before expanding to the Ankobra River, would be complemented by Operation Green Shield, a sustained intervention targeting illegal mining activities in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.
Col. Appiah explained that the strategy goes beyond removing illegal miners from affected areas, focusing instead on preventing their return through sustained patrols, intelligence-led operations and the establishment of a dedicated riverine unit in collaboration with the Ghana Navy.
Hundreds Arrested, More Than 100 Excavators Seized
Providing an update on enforcement activities, Col. Appiah said hundreds of suspected illegal miners had been arrested during the period under review and handed over to the police and other relevant authorities.
He noted that some of the suspects were undergoing court proceedings, while others had been remanded or granted bail.
The Secretariat also seized more than 100 excavators, which have been secured at designated holding areas across the regions.
According to Col. Appiah, NAIMOS is documenting the chassis numbers and GPS locations of the seized machines to support legal processes aimed at securing their confiscation by the state.
NAIMOS Moves to Prevent Illegal Miners’ Return
Addressing concerns that illegal miners could return to areas after enforcement teams withdraw, Col. Appiah acknowledged that the military could not maintain a permanent presence in every affected community.
He said NAIMOS was therefore adopting a phased approach that involves clearing and stabilising illegal mining hotspots before gradually transferring routine monitoring and protection responsibilities to relevant security agencies, the Forestry Commission and local communities.
The Secretariat is also strengthening collaboration with Blue Water Guards and other intelligence agencies to improve information-sharing and coordinate enforcement activities.
Col. Appiah said the operations were being carefully planned to achieve sustainable results, stressing the importance of ensuring that illegal miners do not return to previously cleared areas once enforcement teams withdraw.
The planned expansion of river protection operations, alongside sustained patrols and stronger inter-agency collaboration, forms part of NAIMOS’ broader efforts to curb illegal mining and protect Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
