The Media Relations Officer of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, has dismissed calls for the disbandment of operations aimed at combating illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

In an interview on TV3, Schandorf emphasized that the fight against galamsey, spearheaded by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), has yielded positive results.

He stated that there is currently no credible evidence of misconduct by NAIMOS in the execution of its duties.

“Structurally and administratively, there is only one body that coordinates all anti-illegal mining operations across the country, and that outfit is the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat. Indeed, as of just yesterday, they collaborated with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, displaced some illegal miners, seized 50 chanfans, and made other relevant inroads,” he said.

He further explained that NAIMOS is mandated to coordinate all anti-galamsey groups nationwide. Therefore, when allegations arise, they are thoroughly investigated.

If NAIMOS is not implicated, he said, there is no cause for concern.

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“Since no accusation of such nature has been made against NAIMOS, there is no cause for alarm,” Schandorf asserted.

His remarks were in response to a call by Joseph Yamin, National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urging President Mahama to disband all anti-galamsey taskforces.

Yamin alleged that these taskforces are worsening the situation by engaging in bribery and extortion rather than leading the fight against illegal mining.

In contrast, Schandorf reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to eradicating galamsey.

He noted that under the leadership of Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Ministry possesses the political will and determination to reclaim Ghana’s degraded forests and polluted water bodies.

SA

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: