Spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, has disclosed that the Ministry has launched an investigation into allegations that some persons claiming to be National Security operatives are involved in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, in parts of the country.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on May 21, 2026, he explained that the decision followed growing concerns that anti-galamsey operations in the Dominase enclave were allegedly being compromised by individuals purportedly linked to National Security.

“First off, the reason we even reported the persons who are alleged to be involved in this operation, who are purportedly members of the National Security, is the fact that it has become very apparent that galamsey operations in that part of the country seem to have the complicity of certain people who ordinarily should not be involved,” 3news.com quoted him as saying.

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The development follows the arrest of four armed illegal miners at Dominase on Wednesday, May 20, for allegedly mining along the River Ankobra.

According to reports, the suspects claimed during interrogation that they were operating under the authority of individuals identified as “Ras,” “Mambo,” and “Nana Teku,” whom they alleged were National Security operatives based in Prestea.

Schandorf said the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, had immediately commissioned a fact-finding team to establish the truth behind the allegations.

“So, for the fact that it has become a crucial matter, the sector minister, Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has immediately commissioned a fact-finding team to unravel the truth in that particular development,” he added.

He further noted that repeated intelligence gathered during operations by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the area pointed to alleged sponsorship of illegal mining activities by persons said to be National Security operatives.

“Repeatedly, anytime NAIMOS goes on an operation in that particular enclave, that is the feedback we get that the activities of the men are actually being sponsored by certain persons who are supposed to know better,” he said.

AM