The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced plans to deploy more military personnel to the Western Region as it seeks stronger collaboration with traditional authorities and local government officials to combat illegal mining.
The Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel K. S. Appiah, disclosed this during separate engagements with the Omanhene of the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Wassa Amenfi, Raymond Nana Ebbah.
The visits formed part of the Secretariat’s stakeholder engagement strategy to strengthen local support for anti-galamsey operations.
Col. Appiah said traditional authorities had a critical role to play in restoring order and ensuring the success of efforts to curb illegal mining.
“The reason why I have decided to engage traditional councils is because of the important role traditional leaders play in establishing order in their areas. Therefore, I do not want to conduct surprise operations which will affect communities without allowing the traditional leaders to ask their subjects to reform,” he said.
Col. Appiah said the approach was intended to encourage community leaders and miners to reconsider activities contributing to the destruction of water bodies, forest reserves and the wider environment.
He called on the chiefs and the MCE to support efforts to protect state lands and public buildings while promoting responsible mining.
“We will deploy our military men to support. I will try everything possible to ensure we mine responsibly. This is what we want — responsible mining,” he said.
Paramount chief vows not to shield offenders
The Omanhene, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, welcomed the NAIMOS delegation and pledged the full support of the traditional council.
He said illegal mining had destroyed farmlands and water bodies, threatening the future of young people in the area.
The paramount chief called for closer cooperation between traditional authorities and the government to end the practice.
He assured the Secretariat that the traditional council would not shield any chief or individual involved in illegal mining and would provide credible information to support operations.
“We as traditional leaders are ready to support you. This land belongs to us, and we cannot sit down for it to be destroyed. We will give you all the support you need to succeed,” he said.
Assembly pledges logistics and intelligence
The MCE, Raymond Nana Ebbah, also pledged the Assembly’s support for NAIMOS, saying local authorities were already working with traditional leaders to reclaim degraded lands.
He said the Assembly would provide logistical assistance and local intelligence to support the operations.
Mr Ebbah stressed that sustainable development in Wassa Amenfi would remain difficult if illegal mining continued to damage the environment.
“On behalf of the Assembly and the people of Wassa Amenfi, we welcome you, and we promise to partner with NAIMOS. We will do everything within our power to help you succeed. The President has tasked us to protect our environment, and we will not fail,” he said.