The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has raised concerns over the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), calling for greater transparency amid allegations of selective enforcement and possible misconduct.
The coalition acknowledged NAIMOS’ contribution to the fight against illegal mining, noting that the agency has conducted more than 200 operations since its establishment.
However, CAGG said questions remain over whether the operations are being carried out consistently, fairly and without favour.
The group is demanding accountability from NAIMOS to ensure that its activities align with its mandate and maintain public confidence in the fight against illegal mining.
“NAIMOS has been active on the ground, and its record of over 200 operations is not in dispute,” CAGG said in a statement issued on Monday.
“The question that must be asked, however, is whether that record reflects enforcement carried out without fear or favour.”
The coalition said it had received reports from mining communities alleging that NAIMOS’ enforcement approach was selective, with some operators allegedly treated differently from others.
It also raised concerns over allegations that confiscated equipment may have been returned to miners after payments were made.
“Far more troubling is the allegation that confiscated equipment is being returned to miners upon payment of a fee, with motorbike owners reportedly paying GH₵15,000 to reclaim seized bikes,” the coalition said.
“If this is true, this is shameful, and it is an affront to the integrity of NAIMOS and to the very mandate it was set up to fulfil.”
CAGG stressed that the allegations required immediate clarification from the agency and called on NAIMOS to publicly account for its operations.
“We call on NAIMOS to come clean on this allegation without delay,” the coalition said.
The group questioned the existence and accessibility of NAIMOS’ public accountability mechanisms, asking where its complaints system was located and how reports from affected communities were being handled.
“Where is NAIMOS’s toll-free complaints line published, and what is the public record of community complaints received, logged and acted upon?” CAGG asked.
“Accountability requires that these questions be answered, not assumed.”
The coalition said transparency was essential because NAIMOS had become a central institution in government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
The concerns form part of a wider criticism by CAGG that the fight against galamsey requires stronger enforcement and accountability across all state institutions involved.
The coalition has also criticised the Ghana Police Service and local authorities, arguing that illegal mining will continue if state agencies fail to enforce laws consistently.
The government has maintained that NAIMOS has played a critical role in disrupting illegal mining operations, including the seizure of equipment and interventions in affected communities.
However, CAGG said the effectiveness of the anti-galamsey campaign would ultimately depend on whether enforcement agencies operate transparently and independently.
