Galamsey fight: NAIMOS should be formalised and given legislative backing — Minority

The Minority Caucus on Parliament's Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources has called for the institutionalisation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS).

The opposition lawmakers observed that while successive governments have introduced several bodies to fight illegal mining, they have not been able to achieve the desired results.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 17, and signed by Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Member of Parliament for Mampong and Ranking Member on the Committee, the NPP MPs called for NAIMOS to be given legislative backing.

"Over the years, successive governments have introduced anti-galamsey interventions under different names—Operation Vanguard, GalamStop, and now NAIMOS. While these initiatives have reflected varying levels of commitment, the mere rebranding of enforcement structures is not enough to address a problem of this magnitude.

"What Ghana needs is a sustainable institutional framework that transcends political administrations. In this regard, NAIMOS should be formalised and given structure through the necessary Legislative Instruments (L.I.), which clearly define its mandate, powers, structure, accountability mechanisms, and operational independence," read part of the statement.

The caucus added that "such legal backing would help shield the fight against illegal mining from political interference, ensure continuity across governments, and establish a more credible and permanent national response to the galamsey menace."

Their call comes after the NPP MPs commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana over its recently introduced nationwide anti-galamsey advocacy known as 'Red Sunday.'