The Secretary of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Dominic Buah, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, cautioning them against engaging in violent confrontations with members of his anti-galamsey task force.

His remarks come amid ongoing efforts by authorities to clamp down on illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, which continue to pose serious environmental and security challenges across Ghana.

The operations, spearheaded by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, have increasingly encountered resistance in some mining communities, raising concerns about the safety of personnel deployed to enforce the law.

Speaking at an editors’ forum on Wednesday, March 25, Colonel Buah made it clear that his team will not tolerate any form of armed resistance from illegal miners.

He stressed that operatives are well-trained and adequately equipped to defend themselves if provoked, signaling a more assertive stance in the ongoing fight against illegal mining.

We will not stand and watch anyone use weapons against us. We are better trained in weapons and therefore warn that anybody who dares, NAIMOS will deal with them ruthlessly.

It is a problem we are trying to address and we have the right to self defence and let no galamseyer miss that. If you go to the field with weapons and you try to fire it, a lot more will be at you.