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.
It will be recalled, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, some months ago revealed the staggering potential financial scope of the anti-galamsey effort.
According to the Lands Minister, a comprehensive fight against illegal mining could cost the nation an estimated $10 billion.
The Lands minister is quoted by 3 news to have said, “The fight against galmsey could cost $10 billion”.
NAIMOS was established to coordinate national efforts against illegal mining by integrating the work of security agencies, regulatory bodies, and local authorities.
Meanwhile, Ten heavily armed men impersonating the anti-galamsey taskforce at the Nyankamam-Armori Forest have been arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The heavily armed men were arrested by NAIMOS at the Nyankamam-Armori Forest in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region.
The suspects were said to be operating with impunity, extorting money from illegal miners.
NAIMOS, in a dawn operation, led to the arrest of the group. The suspects were found with weapons and talismans.
They have since been handed to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation and prosecution.
In related news, NAIMOS has arrested Iddrisu Zakari, popularly known as Yaayaa.
Iddrisu Zakari has been labelled as a notorious galamsey kingpin involved in illegal mining activities within the Osino Residential Area.
Reports suggest the NAIMOS operation took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, at about 6:06 p.m.
According to reports, Iddrisu Zakari was arrested at Bonsu after agreeing to meet NAIMOS.
He agreed to meet with a NAIMOS operative to negotiate the release of his arrested thugs and to discuss a possible halt to the ongoing inquiries into his operations.
Iddrisu Zakari has been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.
Recall, NAIMOS conducted a dawn operation at Osino in the Eastern Region, arresting 36 suspected illegal miners on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The group includes 32 Nigerien nationals and 4 Ghanaians, reportedly caught mining illegally along the Birim River in the Fanteakwa South District.
In a post on social media, Felix Kwaye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications, stated, “NAIMOS Conducts Massive Dawn Strike in Eastern Region, arrests Several Foreign Galamseyers (32 Nigerien and 4 Ghanaians) in Swoop at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District – 8 November 2025”.
The NAIMOS team also impounded heavy-duty machinery and recovered substantial amounts of cash and other mining-related materials from the site.