Five Chinese galamseyers mining along the Birim River have been busted by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
Reports suggest the NAIMOS operation in the Akyem Oda, Birim Central Municipality of the Birim River, occurred on Monday, December 29.
Following the raid, two excavators were seized and immobilised with a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Land Cruiser used by the miners were also seized.
The Chinese galamseyers’ makeshift structures, water pumps and other equipment were destroyed.
In related galamsey news, the Rapid Response team of the Forestry Commission has also arrested 28 Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians.
The Forestry Commission foils attempts by the galamseyers to mine illegally in the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
According to the Forestry Commission, the miners were found to have pitched camp, pretending to be granted a permit to reclaim the land.
The illegal miners were arrested in Compartment 17 of the Apamprama Forest Reserve near the Obeng ne Obeng community, where four erected structures were immobilised.
One pickup truck, one Foton mini truck, and one generator were seized from the operation.
Meanwhile, Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Member of Parliament for Wa West and Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has criticised the GH₵150 million allocated to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
According to Peter Lanchene Toobu, the GH₵150 million for the NAIMOS in the fight against illegal mining is too small.
The lawmaker further asserted that Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, will do something about the allocation to NAIMOS in the 2026 mid-year budget.
The NDC MP is quoted by TV3 as having said, “GH¢150 million for NAIMOS, that is just in the budget. And I’m quite sure that it is too small. Looking at the volume of what they have to do, and their mandate, I’m sure in the media budget review, the Minister of Finance will do something about it”.
“Raise the strength to 1,000, give them full retooling, provide enough resources, and define a clear mandate with timelines. Soldiers can be trained for war and never see battle, but the galamsey menace is destroying our country. If we want the armed forces to succeed in enforcement, we must give them the tools, resources, and a defined timeline,” he stated.
His remarks come after Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister for Finance, has revealed that an amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the 2026 fiscal year to fight galamsey.
According to Dr Forson, the allocation demonstrates the Mahama government’s continued commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural environment.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, Dr Ato Forson stated, “An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for their activities against illegal mining and forest degradation”.
He added that the GH¢150m allocated will support ongoing enforcement, intelligence, and monitoring operations led by NAIMOS in the fight against illegal mining.