Lands Minister condemns attack on NAIMOS team at Hwidiem, calls for swift investigation

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has strongly condemned the violent attack on personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) during an anti-galamsey operation at Bronikrom, near Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.

In an official statement issued on November 3, 2025, the Minister said he has been fully briefed on the incident, which took place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and described the attack as an unacceptable obstruction of state efforts to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to reports from the Ghana Police Service, the NAIMOS team, supported by military and police officers, was on a lawful mission to dismantle illegal mining operations when they were confronted and attacked by a mob allegedly incited by some individuals, including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo.

The attack resulted in damage to vehicles and near-violent clashes before calm was restored through the intervention of security reinforcements and community leaders.

Armah-Kofi Buah expressed deep concern about the growing trend of political interference in security operations meant to protect the country’s natural resources.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all those responsible—whether directly or indirectly—face the full consequences of their actions.

“The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources views this incident with utmost seriousness. The government will not tolerate acts that endanger the lives of our security officers or undermine our collective fight against illegal mining,” the statement read.

To that end, the Minister revealed that he has already held discussions with both the Speaker of Parliament and the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, to ensure a swift, transparent, and thorough investigation into the attack.

He further emphasized that those found guilty of aiding or shielding illegal miners would not be spared, regardless of their political or social status.

The statement comes at a time when the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the probe.

Ebenezer Addo has since been invited to assist with investigations, while his colleague, MP for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, who is currently attending the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa, has denied any involvement, stating that he merely requested his colleague to verify reports of the incident.