The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has charged the incoming Director of Operations, Colonel S.A. Appiah, and his team with ensuring that the nation’s polluted water bodies “become blue again.”
Speaking at the NAIMOS One handing-over ceremony, Mr Buah admonished the new operations head to strengthen intelligence gathering and embrace innovation to streamline their operations.
He noted that Ghanaians have full confidence in the team, which is why they have been entrusted to safeguard river bodies and protect forest reserves, adding that they must firmly deal with those determined to destroy these vital natural resources.
The Minister reaffirmed President Mahama’s commitment to supporting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) with the necessary logistics to combat illegal mining, whilst conveying the President’s gratitude for the team’s sacrifices in defending the country at the expense of their personal lives.
In response, Colonel S.A. Appiah thanked the Minister for entrusting him with the leadership of NAIMOS Operations.
He also took the opportunity to thank his predecessor, Colonel Dominic Buah, for his dedication, stating that “the destruction of our forests, pollution of our rivers and degradation of our lands continues to pose existential threats not only for the present generation but also for those yet unborn.”
Colonel Appiah assured the public of his commitment to strengthening operational effectiveness, enhancing inter-agency cooperation, improving intelligence-led operations, and ensuring their actions produce measurable results.
He emphasised that NAIMOS will work closely with all stakeholders—including local communities, traditional authorities, regulatory agencies, and development partners—noting that the fight against illegal mining cannot be won by enforcement agencies alone.
During the same ceremony, the outgoing Director of Operations, Colonel Dominic Buah, revealed that since its inception, NAIMOS has retrieved 1,854 pieces of ammunition, 144 rifles, 116 excavators, and three bulldozers from various illegal mining sites across the country.
He remarked that the outgoing team had successfully laid the foundation, and it is now up to the incoming team to elevate NAIMOS operations to the next level.
Colonel Buah noted that the fight against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, must be fair, firm, and above all, “rootless” because certain individuals remain determined to destroy Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
He urged his successor not to shield any culprits, particularly those discovered operating within his domain.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana