NAIMOS/ COCOBOD Intensifies Anti-Galamsey Fight; Massive Destruction Found at Kakra
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in collaboration with the Ghana COCOBOD have carried out a major swoop on an illegal mining site at Kakra, a cocoa-growing community in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti Region, leading to the disabling of excavators and destruction of makeshift shelters.thr
The operation, conducted on Monday, December 8, uncovered massive devastation of farmlands, with large tracts previously occupied by cocoa, palm trees and other cash crops completely destroyed by illegal miners.
When the NAIMOS and the COCOBOD team arrived, the suspected Chinese and Ghanaian galamsey operators had already fled the area. Information gathered by Swiftnews3 Online suggests that the miners—especially the Chinese nationals—received a tip-off from some unpatriotic residents, allowing them to escape before the taskforce arrived.
A young resident who spoke anonymously said,
“The Chinese drove off in their vehicles to another location because they had prior knowledge of your coming.”
At the site, the taskforce dismantled and burnt structures believed to be temporary accommodation for the illegal miners. Several items used in their operations were also destroyed. Control boards and monitors of the excavators were removed to prevent the machines from being reused or relocated by their owners.
Fresh cocoa and palm trees were seen uprooted and scattered across the landscape, painting a grim picture of the scale of destruction. The scene highlighted the growing threat galamsey poses to agriculture, food security and the environment across the country.
Illegal mining continues to degrade farmlands, pollute major water bodies and endanger livelihoods, despite intensified national campaigns and security operations. NAIMOS maintains that it will sustain its operations to clamp down on illegal miners and restore degraded lands.
Swiftnews3 Online will continue to follow developments in the Bosome Freho District as authorities work to curb the galamsey menace.
