The Deputy Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Lt. Col. Joshua Satekla, has raised fresh concerns about persistent obstacles hampering the national fight against galamsey, describing them as serious threats to ongoing efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
Speaking at a regional briefing with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Western Region, Lt. Col. Satekla disclosed that despite NAIMOS preparing to deploy its first batch of fifty officers to the region, the institution continues to struggle with two major setbacks; interference from influential individuals and a critical lack of logistics.
He stressed that these challenges weaken enforcement efforts and embolden illegal mining networks, who often operate with backing from powerful actors.
The briefing, which sought to clarify the roles of local authorities ahead of the deployment, also highlighted how the lack of logistics ,from mobility to surveillance tools , has slowed rapid response actions in many mining hotspots.
According to Lt. Col. Satekla, the incoming officers will be stationed across the Ellembelle District, Ahanta West Municipality and Wassa Amenfi East Municipality, serving as both operational units and supervisory teams for adjoining assemblies. But for their work to be effective, he emphasized the need for full institutional backing at the district level.
Despite the operational challenges, MMDCEs at the meeting pledged their commitment to the renewed collaborative framework with NAIMOS, affirming that tackling illegal mining requires consistent support and a united command structure.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
