Politics

PRESS BRIEFING

Published

23 hours ago

November 7, 2025

Badu Beatrice

Hon. Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah

PRESS BRIEFING – 7th November 2025

Good morning, our good friends from the mediaIt’s a cold morning, and I bring you warm greetings from Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah who is unavoidably absent as he is away on another national assignment out of town. It’s another Friday and as agreed, we are here to share updates on Government’s efforts in bringing sanity into our environment by expunging illegal mining activities.

Following Government’s declaration of Forest Reserves and Waterbodies as Security Zones, on Saturday, 1st November 2025 a ten-man NAIMOS team led by the Director of Operations Col. Dominic Buah had gone to conduct a Recce in Goaso. The objective was to identify a suitable location for the permanent deployment of a NAIMOS field task force in line with the Secretariat’s strategic plan to sustain anti-illegal mining operations.

On their way back, they sighted ongoing illegal mining operation by the roadside at Bonikrom about 10 metres from the Hwidiem–Goaso highway in the Ahafo Region.

According to the reports received, the miners bolted when they spotted the NAIMOS team, leaving behind a Burkinabe national who was operating the excavator. Col. Buah instructed the suspect to refill the pits they had dug to prevent further environmental degradation. He was then asked to call the site owner. While at it, the Naimos field task force set ablaze shelters used as offices and shelters by the illegal miners.

The first individual to arrive identified himself as a Defence Intelligence (DI) representative from the Ahafo Region. Shortly after, two other individuals arrived, claiming ownership of the site. A search was conducted on the gentlemen and the following items were found:

One (1) Smith & Wesson pistolTwo

(2) pistol magazinesTwenty-one (21) rounds of 9mm ammunitionOne

(1) black side bagTwelve (12) assorted mobile phones (including Samsung, Techno, Villanelle, and Itel brands)

One power bankCash amounting to GH₵11,000.00While arrangements were being made to convey the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, some other individuals arrived at the scene, demanding the release of the arrested persons.

The Director politely declined the unlawful request, maintaining that the arrests were appropriate and that the right procedure be followed through to the Police.The matter escalated quickly to the extent that reinforcement had to be sent from a neighbouring police station to rescue the NAIMOS personnel who had been besieged by the growing mob who were threatening to burn down the police station. Col. Buah’s Toyota Hilux pickup was vandalized.

The tense standoff created a serious threat to life and property, placing immense pressure on both the Director of Operations and the police officers on duty. We want to commend Chief Superintendent Prince Odom-Koduah, the Ahafo Regional Crime Officer, and the fifteen (15) member Regional Task Force, headed by Inspector Ofosu.

They were supported by Superintendent John Atanga, Divisional Commander for Goaso, Superintendent Opoku Yamoah, District Commander for Kenyase, and other senior officers. In the interest of peace and calm, and to prevent bloodshed, a decision was made by the police, the military, and the Zongo Chief to release the keys to the seized vehicles to the owners. The Zongo Chief then offered his Toyota Sequoia 4×4 to evacuate Colonel Buah, the Director of Operations, and his officers to safety at the Newmont Site in Kenyase under police escort.

NAIMOS remains poised despite the unfortunate incident and warns all galamseyers to desist from any such acts in the future. The Director of Operations reiterated that the effort to combat illegal mining will continue regardless to help clean Ghana’s waters and forest as well as restore sanity in the mining space.

Following the report, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah immediately notified the Speaker of Parliament and the Interior Minister for swift and urgent investigations into the matter. Hon. Buah has vehemently condemned this act, describing it as unacceptable and an affront to state authority.

The Inspector-General of Police has also directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the investigation to ensure impartiality and professionalism in bringing all culprits to justice.

In another related event, still on the matter of Galamsey, a team from the Environmental Protection Authority, (EPA) led by the CEO Prof. Browne Kluste, were involved in an motor accident in Afari, after being chased by illegal miners at Dadwene, a community near Obuasi. Two journalists were in critical condition and several other injured. The EPA has been intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining, and has shut down several warehouses involved in the production of illegal mining equipment.

Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah who also doubles as Ag. Miinister for MEST wishes to convey his utmost disappointment on these incidences, he wishes to make it clear that he remains resolute and unperturbed in his resolve to deal with the matter on hand. That said, the Ministry wishes to make it clear that illegal mining is a criminal act! Any attempt to obstruct or attack law enforcement officers engaged in anti-galamsey operations is therefore deemed an offence against the state and anyone found culpable will be severely dealt with, no matter their political, social, or traditional status.

Our commitment to protect Ghana’s lands, rivers, forests, and communities is stronger than ever. The recent events will not slow us down; they have only strengthened our determination. Illegal mining must stop. Ghana must win this fight.Thank you.

Story by Isaac Ochem

Related Topics:current news story EPA NAIMOS

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STATEMENT BY HON. COMFORT DOYOE CUDJOE, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ADA AND DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HPV VACCINE IN GHANA Right Hon Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make this statement on Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination in Ghana. As the Women’s Caucus in the Parliament of Ghana, we stand together in full support of the national introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into Ghana’s routine Immunisation Programme. This milestone marks a bold step towards the protection of girls and women from cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Ghanaian women. Mr. Speaker, we commend the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and all partners for the leadership shown in making this life-saving vaccine accessible to our dear daughters aged 9 to 14 free of charge. The HPV vaccine is not only a health intervention; it is a gender responsive intervention, giving girls the protection they need to live long, healthy lives and contribute fully to society. Mr. Speaker, it is sad to note that every year, we lose over 2,000 women to cervical cancer, not because we lack medicine, but because we lacked awareness, vaccine access, or early screening for prompt action. When a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, the impact goes far beyond her body. It affects her children, her household, her livelihood, and the entire community. She may be the caregiver, and breadwinner, and her illness creates a ripple effect that touches everyone around her. The physical toll is often devastating painful treatments, long hospital stays, and, in many cases, late-stage diagnosis. The emotional burden includes fear, stigma, and helplessness. But the economic cost is even heavier. Many families sell property, fall into debt, or lose income, simply to keep their mother, sister, or wife alive. To my dear women and families who have faced or are facing the pain of cervical cancer, we stand with you and hold your hands in strength and compassion. To those who have lost loved ones, please know that their memory lives on in our commitment to ensure others do not walk the same path. To my brave women who are still fighting, your courage inspires us every single day. You are not alone. Cervical cancer is a devastating disease, but it is also preventable. Together, we can protect the next generation of women and girls. We can end the silence, break the stigma, and raise our voices for better access to prevention, care, and hope. No woman should suffer when we can protect her before the danger begins. No girl should die from something we have the power to stop. As mothers, wives, sisters, and leaders, we understand the fears and myths that sometimes surround the introduction of new vaccines. Let us be clear that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective. The HPV vaccine is not entirely new in Ghana, it has long been available at a cost in private health facilities for those who can afford it. Thanks to the Government of Ghana, the vaccine is now being provided free of charge to girls aged 9-4 years through Ghana’s national Immunisation Programme from September this year. We encourage all parents, caregivers, and schools to take full advantage of this opportunity. We call on: Parents and caregivers to ensure their daughters receive the vaccine. Teachers and school heads support health teams during school vaccination sessions. Religious and traditional leaders use their influence to dispel misinformation and promote health-seeking behavior. Media practitioners promote and share accurate information and give voice to survivors and health experts, My fellow Honorable members, especially the men, to advocate in our constituencies for high uptake of the HPV vaccine and champion sustained investment in women’s health and the prevention of cervical cancer. Let us unite around this cause. Let us not wait until we bury another sister, mother, and friend. Let us make cervical cancer a disease of the past by ensuring every girl aged 9-14 years are vaccinated this September. Cervical cancer is preventable. The time to act is now. Protect our girls. Vaccinate. Save lives. I thank you once again, Rt. Hon. Speaker.