Lands Ministry accuses NAIMOS impersonators behind Akyem Hemang shooting

Ministry's Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has raised concerns over the growing number of individuals allegedly impersonating operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), warning that their activities are often wrongly attributed to the anti-galamsey task force.

The Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, said the situation had become a major challenge, with some individuals allegedly wearing military uniforms and presenting themselves as NAIMOS personnel.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, August 28, Mr Schandorf said the reported killing of a young man at Akyem Hemang in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region was among incidents that had been wrongly linked to the task force.

According to him, NAIMOS had no personnel deployed to Akyem Hemang or its surrounding communities at the time of the incident.

“More often than not, a lot of people parade as NAIMOS operatives. It’s one of the challenges that NAIMOS is currently confronted with, where people adorn themselves in military uniforms and identify themselves as NAIMOS personnel.”

Mr Schandorf insisted that NAIMOS had not undertaken any operation in Akyem Hemang or the wider area in connection with the reported shooting.

He also dismissed suggestions that personnel of the task force could have been responsible for the fatal shooting, stressing that the use of lethal force resulting in the taking of human life was not part of NAIMOS’ mandate.

His comments follow the reported shooting death of a young man identified as Douglas Acheampong at Akyem Hemang on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 7 p.m., with the deceased allegedly shot at close range. Initial reports linked the incident to personnel believed to be associated with NAIMOS.

Mr Schandorf, however, described the claim as false and urged the public to differentiate between legitimate NAIMOS personnel and individuals allegedly posing as members of the task force.

He warned that such impersonation could damage the reputation of NAIMOS, undermine public confidence in its operations and create misconceptions about the task force’s mandate.

The Lands Ministry is therefore urging the public to exercise caution when dealing with persons claiming to be NAIMOS operatives and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.