KYEBI, Eastern Region — On Sunday, June 15th, 2025, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), a dedicated and independent Task Force set up by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, struck a bold raid, disrupting the operations of environmental predators in some parts of the Eastern Region.
Acting on intelligence, the team stormed the Kyebi general area, where illegal miners had turned sections of the Birim River into a wasteland of mud and toxic runoff.
As the task force descended upon the sites, the galamsey operators fled into the surrounding forests, abandoning their machinery—but not before leaving behind a trail of ecological ruin. The once-pristine riverbanks are now cratered with deep, jagged pits, the waters clouded with sediment and chemicals.
The air reeked of diesel and decay, a stark contrast to the vibrant ecosystem that once thrived there.
Four (4) excavators were seized on-site during the afternoon raid that lasted till the wee hours of the 16th of June 2025. The task force disabled them by removing their control boards, ensuring they could no longer ravage the land, and later moved them to the local police station.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating galamsey, despite the persistent defiance of illegal miners.
“This is not just a fight for today—it is a battle for the future of our land, water, and children,” the Minister declared in a post-operation briefing. “Those who poison our rivers and strip our forests for profit are enemies of Ghana’s survival. We will hunt them down, we will dismantle their operations, and we will restore what has been stolen from our people.”
The Minister’s resolve echoes the growing outcry from environmental activists and local communities, who have watched in despair as farmlands vanish, rivers turn toxic, and livelihoods crumble under the weight of unchecked illegal mining.
source:www.senaradioonline.com
