The Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Dominic Buah, has revealed that most arrests in the fight against illegal mining involve foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens.
Speaking at the NAIMOS Editors’ Forum and quarterly press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, he said a significant number of individuals apprehended during anti-galamsey operations are foreigners.
“I talked about arrests, and the majority of them are Chinese,” he disclosed.
Col. Buah noted that even the Chinese Ambassador has expressed concern over the scale of involvement of his nationals in illegal mining activities in Ghana.
He warned that the activities of these illegal miners are causing severe environmental damage, including the destruction of lands, forests and water bodies.
He also cited the arrest of other foreign nationals, including 32 Nigerians picked up during an operation in Osino, stressing the security implications of the trend.
According to him, NAIMOS is working closely with national security agencies to verify the status of arrested foreigners, who are then handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further action.
He explained that while some suspects are prosecuted, others are deported, adding that in cases involving Chinese nationals, the Chinese Embassy is engaged, often leading to blacklisting.
Col. Buah reaffirmed NAIMOS’ commitment to transparency, noting that regular updates on arrests and seizures will be made public as part of efforts to ensure accountability in the fight against illegal mining.
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