Coalition Against Galamsey condemns attack on anti-illegal mining task force, calls for swift action

The Coalition Against Galamsey, Ghana, has condemned the recent violent attack on personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and allied security officers during an operation in the Ahafo Region.

In a statement, the coalition described the incident — allegedly instigated by a sitting Member of Parliament — as a “grave affront to national security, democratic governance, and the rule of law.”

The officers were reportedly conducting a lawful operation when they were obstructed and physically assaulted by a mob believed to have been mobilised by local political actors.

The coalition warned that any aggression against NAIMOS personnel amounts to an attack on the state itself, stressing that political interference in law enforcement undermines Ghana’s environmental protection efforts.

“Mobilising citizens to shield criminal mining operations is not political representation; it is complicity in environmental destruction and economic sabotage,” the statement said.

The group called on President John Dramani Mahama to publicly reaffirm his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining and direct a full, independent investigation into the attack. It urged the prosecution of all those responsible, regardless of political status, and demanded stronger security protection for anti-galamsey enforcement teams.

The coalition also appealed to Parliament to initiate disciplinary action against the MP involved and to pass a bipartisan resolution condemning violence against enforcement officers.

Civil society organisations, the media, traditional leaders, and citizens were further encouraged to “speak up and resist intimidation and impunity,” emphasising that environmental protection is a shared national duty.

“Ghana cannot win the fight against galamsey if those entrusted with public authority undermine enforcement and foster impunity,” the coalition said. “This attack cannot be normalised or excused — the Republic must act firmly and transparently to protect its officers, safeguard its natural heritage, and defend the rule of law.”

The statement was jointly signed by Kenneth Ashigbey, Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, Senyo Hosi, and Daryl Bosu on behalf of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, which includes members from the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, OneGhana Movement, A Rocha Ghana, the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, and several other professional and advocacy groups.

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