The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced major successes in the latest phase of the government’s intensified fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

This was revealed during a press briefing held at the Ministry on Friday, 10th October 2025, led by the Director of Communications, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, and Mahmud Kabore on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah (MP).

According to Ms. Mawuenyefia, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) carried out series of coordinated field operations between October 5 and 9, 2025, across four major galamsey hotspots: Gangway (Aboso), the Ankobra River, Tano Anwia Forest (Jomoro), and the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve in the Western and Western North Regions.

The operations led to the arrests of 28 illegal miners and seizures of several mining equipment and materials.

She noted that the operations in Gangway (Aboso) and the Ankobra River resulted in the destruction of several changfang dredging machines, makeshift shelters, and illegal processing camps. Meanwhile, the raid in the Tano Anwia Forest (Jomoro) led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals believed to be financiers of illegal mining operations.

The Director of Communications further disclosed that the government’s strategy in the anti-galamsey fight is anchored on five key pillars, which form the foundation of the Ministry’s renewed and coordinated response.

“Our approach under the leadership of Hon. Buah is centered on five (5) key pillars: Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration, Regulatory Reforms, Law Enforcement, Reclamation of degarded lands & Restoration of polluted water, and the provision of Alternative Sustainable Livelihood. These pillars guide all our interventions across the country,” she explained.

Ms. Mawuenyefia commended the joint efforts of NAIMOS, the Blue Water Guards for their professionalism and resilience. She stated that this briefing underscores the government’s commitment to the pillar of stakeholder collaboration, ensuring the public is consistently updated on all gains made in this fight, no matter how incremental. She added that this is one of many weekly engagements the Ministry will conduct to maintain transparency and garner public trust.

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