• Ghana launches NAIMOS as the central authority to combat illegal mining activities nationwide.
• The secretariat’s mandate includes environmental restoration and climate change mitigation.
• Over 40,000 hectares of cocoa plantations already destroyed by illegal miners, according to GAWU.

Ghana, Africa’s top gold producer, has long struggled with widespread illegal artisanal and small-scale mining—locally known as Galamsey—that severely damages the environment and undermines the economy. In a decisive move, the government announced on June 30 the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), a new centralized body tasked with tackling this persistent issue.

Established through cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, NAIMOS is now the sole agency authorized to initiate, coordinate, and supervise all anti-illegal mining operations across the country.

According to the government, the secretariat’s responsibilities extend beyond enforcement to include cleaning the environment, reclaiming degraded lands, and restoring polluted water bodies to their original state.

Illegal mining in Ghana has led to significant destruction of arable land and water resources. The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) estimates that illegal miners have already ravaged over 40,000 hectares of cocoa plantations—Ghana’s second-largest export after gold—threatening rural livelihoods and national revenues.

The persistence of Galamsey has been fueled by traditional, often rudimentary mining techniques and a lack of effective regulation. Earlier this year, the Ghana Gold Board was created to better oversee the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. Now, with NAIMOS, authorities aim to unify and strengthen their approach to illegal mining.

Efforts to curb Galamsey are not new in Ghana. Under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, an interministerial committee on illegal mining was set up to confront the problem. The current administration, led by President Mahama, has opted for a more centralized strategy with NAIMOS, hoping to bring lasting change. However, the true effectiveness of this new approach will only become clear in the coming months.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou