Professor Kwesi Aning, a Security consultant, has claimed Italian mafia network is using Ghana’s illegal mining (galamsey) to clean their dirty money.
According to Professor Kwesi Aning, his research findings cite that the Italian mafia network is ceasing advantage of galamsey to launder money.
Speaking on JoyNewsFile on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Professor Kwesi Aning stated, “There are two studies, several studies, in fact. One shows that a group from Italy, the Italian mafia, brings in enough dirty money to buy gold. This is free consultancy for the national security and the financial intelligence agency; one Italian mafia group brings in dirty money to buy gold, takes it, sells it elsewhere, cleans the money, and takes it back to Europe.
That is number one,” he stated while answering a question on whether the security issues arising from illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, could lead to the terrorisation of Ghanaians or militia activities in the country”.
He added, “Number two, we know, and it is proven beyond doubt, that with the exception of Mali, Ghana is the second-largest gold-producing country, where the leakages are massive.
Now, I think Elikem might be able to tell us, but initial calculations show that about 2 to 2.5 billion dollars worth of illicit small-scale gold oozes out of the system every year.
This leads to organised criminal groups having an interest in ensuring that whatever NIAMOS is achieving right now will be resisted, and I can tell you that there is going to be resistance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has rounded up several illegal gold miners (galamseyers) at the Cape Three Points forest reserve.
According to reports, NAIMOS stormed the Cape Three Points forest reserve and arrested several galamseyers and also destroyed mining equipment and drugs.
The galamseyers’ makeshift structures were also burnt.
This follows NAIMOS’ operation on illegal miners (galamsey) in the Western North and Western Regions.
NAIMOS arrested two Chinese nationals and intercepted several Burkinabè workers in separate anti-galamsey operations.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of Government Communication, who shared the information on X, stated, “NAIMOS Busts Chinese Nationals Involved in Galamsey.
On Wednesday, 8th October, 2025, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force arrested two Chinese nationals engaging in illegal mining activities in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Jomoro area of the Western North Region”.
He further added that some Items were seized and others destroyed,
– A Toyota Land Cruiser V8 with registration number GR 442-14.
– Four excavators
– Two heavy water pumping machines.
– 12 makeshift structures were destroyed”.
In related news, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, staged yet another operation along the Ankobra River.
The Ankobra River in the Nzema East Municipality is located in the Western Region.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of Government Communication following Equipment was Seized/Destroyed:
– 1 Excavator
– 100 Makeshift structures set ablaze
– 7 Chanfangs destroyed
– 88 Water Pumping Machines seized
– 3 Gas cylinders seized
– 3 Shovels seized
– 4 Plastic Chairs seized
– 2 Water Hoses seized
– 1 DSTV dish seized
– 1 Gen set seized
– 1 Pick Axe seized
Additionally, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) had earlier stormed a notorious galamsey hideout named ‘Gangway’ at Aboso in the Western Region.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of Government Communication, the operation was carried out on Monday, October 5, 2025.
In a post on X, he wrote, “The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has carried out a significant operation in the Western Region, targeting notorious galamsey hideouts.
On Monday, October 5, 2025, the Task Force stormed “Gangway,” a crime-infested community in Aboso, Prestea-Huni Valley District.
-Makeshift Structures Destroyed*: Several makeshift structures serving as hideouts and drug bases were set ablaze, and galamsey equipment was destroyed.
-Hundreds Surrender: Several hundred locals, mostly galamseyers, surrendered to the Task Force. These individuals were involved in various social vices, including illegal mining, trading, and narcotics smoking, as well as gambling.
-Drugs Seized- Eleven parcels of Indian Hemp were seized, alongside other hard drugs.
– Previous Warnings Ignored: This operation follows a similar one in June 2025, where NAIMOS warned criminal gangs and galamseyers to vacate the area. Despite this, the warnings were ignored.