Galamsey: NAIMOS raids site in Ahafo Region, suspects arrested after alleged standoff with MP
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), on Saturday, November 1, raided an illegal mining (Galamsey) site located at Bronikrom–Hwediem in the Ahafo Region, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including a Burkina Faso national, Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has disclosed.
According to the minister, this operation is part of NAIMOS’ broader initiative to combat illegal mining activities that are causing significant environmental harm.
In a social media post on Sunday, Felix Kwakye Ofosu noted that the raided illegal mining site was located just ten meters away from the Hwediem–Goaso Highway.
“NAIMOS continues to strike at the heart of illegal mining. This time, they flushed out operators at Bronikrom–Hwediem in the Ahafo Region and arrested several individuals, including a Burkinabe,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ramping up efforts against galamsey operations, aiming to protect the nation’s natural resources and ensure the safety of communities impacted by these unlawful activities.
Meanwhile, environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, has offered insights into the said raid, revealing that while several items were discovered and seized during the raid, certain high-profile individuals may have attempted to interfere in the operation.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Erastus Asare Donkor disclosed that while arrangements were being made to convey the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, “the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, arrived at the scene with several thugs. The MP indicated that he was sent by Hon. Collins Dauda, MP for the area and demanded that the Director releases the arrested kingpins, including a Burkinabe immediately.”
According to him, following violent altercations at the site, NAIMOS successfully conveyed the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station but was met by a charged mob demanding the immediate release of the suspects.
“The situation quickly turned more violent. The Director of Operations’ Toyota Hilux pickup was vandalized, and the mob threatened to burn down the police station, even when the MP was reminded to call his mob to order,” he wrote.
He however noted that after a several threats and growing tensions at the station, seized vehicles were released while NAIMOS officials were evacuated to safety.
“The Director of Operations described the MPs’ actions to influence the release of the suspects as unfortunate and a serious obstruction of Naimos operations and emphasized that the fight against illegal mining requires all citizens, especially influential figures in society, to act on the side of the law, not to shield offenders or incite rogues to obstruct justice,” the post added.
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