The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has started engaging communities affected by illegal mining as it seeks to strengthen local cooperation and support its continuing enforcement operations against galamsey.
The initiative is intended to improve public confidence, give communities an opportunity to raise concerns and enhance the sharing of information that could help tackle illegal mining and its effects on the environment and people’s livelihoods.
NAIMOS said the engagements would involve traditional authorities, local government officials, opinion leaders and other community stakeholders. The aim is to encourage a shared responsibility in addressing the illegal mining problem.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, and signed by its spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the Secretariat said the community programme was not intended to take the place of enforcement action.
Instead, it forms part of a wider strategy designed to combine firm operational measures with stronger collaboration in areas affected by galamsey.
The approach was adopted by the sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of introducing a comprehensive response to illegal mining.
NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel K. S. Appiah, is leading the engagements alongside a team from the Secretariat. They are working with traditional authorities and opinion leaders in selected communities.
The Secretariat said it would continue to carry out decisive enforcement while building stronger relationships with communities and relevant institutions.
It added that the combined effort was aimed at creating a coordinated and lasting national response to illegal mining.
The initiative is expected to improve cooperation between enforcement agencies and communities affected by galamsey as the government continues its efforts to curb the practice.
