The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced Operation Green Shield, a special military initiative aimed at eliminating illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in Ghana’s Eastern Region.
The operation, scheduled to begin in two weeks, will deploy specially trained military personnel to clear illegal mining sites, secure affected areas and conduct sustained patrols to prevent miners from returning.
NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah, said the operation would be implemented in three phases: clearing and disrupting illegal mining activities, securing and stabilising the forest reserve, and handing over responsibility to the Forestry Commission for long-term protection.
Speaking at the inaugural Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Progress Reports Series on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Col. Appiah explained that the initiative aims to protect the Atewa Forest, safeguard critical water sources and support environmental restoration.
Operation Green Shield to Protect Atewa Forest and Water Bodies
According to NAIMOS, Operation Green Shield is designed to prevent illegal miners from regaining access to cleared areas while establishing sustainable systems for protecting the forest reserve.
Once the initial military operations are completed, Forestry Commission personnel will gradually assume responsibility for routine surveillance and forest protection.
Col. Appiah said the strategy could be extended to other forest reserves depending on assessments of their vulnerability to illegal mining.
Protecting the Atewa Range Forest Reserve is considered important to Ghana’s environmental conservation efforts because of its ecological significance and role in safeguarding water resources.
The operation forms part of the government’s broader efforts to combat galamsey, reduce forest destruction, prevent river pollution and restore degraded environments.
NAIMOS Records 738 Operations in Galamsey Crackdown
Providing an update on NAIMOS activities between June 13 and September 30, 2026, Col. Appiah disclosed that the secretariat conducted 738 operations covering a cumulative distance of 50,662 kilometres.
The operations included reconnaissance missions, mobile patrols, riverine surveillance, raids, special military interventions and community engagement activities.
He said the task forces recovered 74 firearms and 551 rounds of ammunition. Security personnel also seized excavators, water pumps, vehicles and other equipment used in illegal mining operations.
Additionally, more than 100 excavators, 1,970 chanfang machines and 863 makeshift structures were destroyed, disrupting the equipment and infrastructure supporting illegal mining activities.
Suspects arrested during the operations were handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and possible prosecution.
Col. Appiah emphasised that effective enforcement must go beyond arrests and equipment seizures to include evidence preservation, successful prosecutions and lasting deterrence.
Government Strengthens Fight Against Illegal Mining in Ghana
The government established NAIMOS on July 23, 2025, under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to coordinate national efforts against illegal small-scale mining.
The secretariat operates as an intelligence-led, multi-agency command centre, bringing together the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, National Investigations Bureau, Narcotics Control Commission and relevant environmental agencies.
An initial allocation of GH¢150 million was provided to support field operations, surveillance and deployments around vulnerable water bodies and forest reserves.
NAIMOS says it will continue conducting coordinated land and river operations, establishing forward operating bases and targeting the networks that facilitate illegal mining.
Col. Appiah warned that individuals and groups involved in polluting rivers, destroying forests and damaging critical infrastructure would face continued enforcement action.
He added that the effectiveness of the galamsey crackdown would be measured by whether cleared areas remain protected, illegal mining declines, prosecutions progress and environmental recovery produces measurable results.
The launch of Operation Green Shield represents another step in Ghana’s efforts to protect its forests, preserve water resources and strengthen the fight against illegal mining.
Source: newsthemegh.com