Story by: Nii Okpoti Odamtten & Muhammad Faisal Mustapha…
In a decisive and symbolically potent escalation of Ghana’s intensifying crackdown on illegal mining, operatives of the National Anti Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) have apprehended a Church elder accused of overseeing illicit mining activities at Akyem Morso, near Juaso, in the Asante Akim South District of the Ashanti Region. The arrest, which has sent ripples through both local communities and religious circles, underscores the government’s uncompromising posture against environmental crime irrespective of social or moral standing.
The operation, conducted along the heavily impacted Kume River and spanning the communities of Morso, Kyekyebiase, and Bimma, forms part of a broader, intelligence led campaign spearheaded under the leadership of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah. His stewardship continues to receive widespread commendation for injecting renewed urgency, operational precision, and political will into Ghana’s anti galamsey fight.
NAIMOS task force operatives initially stormed a sprawling illegal mining enclave at Kyekyebiase, where several young men were found actively engaged in alluvial gold extraction. The sudden, coordinated advance triggered panic among the miners, who abandoned their equipment and fled into surrounding bushland using well known escape routes. Despite an extended pursuit, no immediate arrests were made at that stage a testament to the entrenched and evasive nature of these illegal networks.
Undeterred, the task force executed a systematic dismantling of the site’s operational infrastructure. Eight Chanfang machines and four wooden gold washing platforms were destroyed through controlled burning, while multiple hose systems were set ablaze. Twelve water pumping machines were seized as evidence, marking a significant disruption to the operational capacity of the enclave.
A subsequent sweep of the surrounding terrain revealed fresh excavator tracks leading into a nearby cocoa farm an increasingly common concealment tactic employed by illegal miners. There, operatives uncovered a Sany excavator deliberately hidden among cultivated crops. Preliminary inspection showed that key components, including the control board and monitor, had already been removed in an apparent attempt to evade seizure. NAIMOS engineers proceeded to render the machine permanently inoperable by dismantling its oil pump and other critical systems.
It was during this phase of the operation that a middle aged man, casually dressed in a yellow T-shirt and white shorts, approached the task force. Initially claiming to be a farmer visiting his land, his account quickly unraveled following real time intelligence that identified him as a foreman of one of the illegal mining operations in the area.
Confronted with the evidence, the suspect who identified himself as Elder David Bobie Peter confessed to overseeing an illegal mining site at Morso. He further disclosed that he had been dispatched by his employer, identified only as “Mr. Appiah,” to verify reports of NAIMOS activity following the spread of intelligence within the mining network. In a revelation that has shocked many, he also admitted to serving as an Elder of The Church of Pentecost in Konongo, adding a deeply troubling ethical dimension to the case.
“This arrest sends a clear and unequivocal message no title, no office, and no affiliation will shield anyone from accountability,” a senior NAIMOS official stated.
Acting on his admissions, Elder Bobie Peter led operatives to the Morso site under his supervision. What they encountered was a stark illustration of environmental devastation: vast tracts of degraded land, the Kume River heavily polluted with silt and chemical residues, and sections of its natural flow diverted to sustain the illegal operation.
At the site, a second Sany excavator was discovered. Like the first, it had been stripped of key electronic components. NAIMOS engineers again neutralized the machine by removing its oil pump, ensuring it could not be redeployed.
“What we are witnessing here is not just illegality it is ecological vandalism of the highest order,” another operative noted during the assessment.
Elder David Bobie Peter has since been formally arrested and transferred to the Konongo District Police Station, where he is assisting with ongoing investigations expected to lead to further arrests within the network.
NAIMOS, in a strongly worded statement following the operation, issued a stern warning to individuals engaged in illegal mining activities across the country. The Secretariat emphasized that enforcement efforts will intensify, targeting not only field operatives but also financiers, coordinators, and facilitators embedded within communities.
“The fight against galamsey is a national duty. It requires moral clarity, institutional courage, and collective resolve,” the statement read.
The Secretariat also called on traditional authorities, local government officials, and security agencies to heighten vigilance and collaboration in order to prevent the resurgence of such operations.
The latest development further cements the growing reputation of Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah as a central figure in Ghana’s environmental protection efforts. His leadership has been characterized by a willingness to confront entrenched interests and to pursue reforms that prioritize long term ecological sustainability over short term economic gains.
As Ghana confronts the enduring challenge of illegal mining, this case stands as a powerful reminder that the battle is not merely legal or economic but profoundly moral. The message is unmistakable: accountability will be enforced, and the preservation of the nation’s natural heritage will not be compromised.
