The Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Col. Dominic Buah, has raised concern over the involvement of minors in illegal mining activities, describing the development as a worrying trend.
Speaking at NAIMOS’ EDITORS FORUM AND QUARTERLY PRESS BRIEFING on March 25, Col. Buah revealed that authorities have identified children actively engaged in galamsey, stressing the urgent need for intervention.
“We have observed the issue of children in the space. They are minors, and that is a major concern for us,” he stated.
He explained that the matter has been referred to the appropriate institutions, including the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare, to ensure proper intervention and care for the affected children.
“We have engaged the appropriate authorities through the ministry and social welfare to determine how best they can handle the situation. We have their details and where they were picked up from,” he added.
Col. Buah noted that the cases identified form part of a broader trend, indicating that more minors could be involved in illegal mining activities across the country.
“This is a trend. These are not the only ones; we are dealing with just those we were able to apprehend,” he stressed.
On enforcement, he disclosed that several high-profile illegal miners have also been arrested, with intelligence gathered to support further action.
“Some of the high-profile galamsey operators we have arrested, we have details of them and are pursuing the necessary processes,” he said.
He explained that NAIMOS’ role remains largely operational, focusing on clearing illegal miners from water bodies, forest reserves, and major road corridors.
“Our mandate is operational. We keep clearing them from the water bodies, forest reserves, and along the roads. That is our primary focus,” he noted.
Col. Buah further outlined the procedure for handling arrested individuals, indicating that foreign nationals are handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service, while locals are processed through the police and the Attorney General’s Department for prosecution.
“When we make arrests, if you are a foreigner, we hand you over to immigration. If you are a local, you are handed over to the police and the Attorney General for prosecution,” he explained.
He reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to sustaining the fight against illegal mining and restoring degraded lands and water bodies across the country.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com