The Divisional Chief of Jomoro in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region, Nana Kwame Nkansah II, has retracted and apologized for comments he made against the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) following a recent anti-galamsey operation in his area.
In a statement dated October 13, 2025, Nana Nkansah admitted that his earlier criticism of the NAIMOS Task Force was made in error and described his comments as “unfortunate.”
The controversy arose after a NAIMOS Task Force operation at the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve on October 8, 2025, led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals and the seizure of a Land Cruiser V8 vehicle suspected to be linked to illegal mining.
According to the chief, his initial reaction sought to challenge the legitimacy of the task force’s actions and question its credibility. However, after consulting with elders and opinion leaders in his traditional area, he acknowledged that the NAIMOS team acted appropriately.
“After several checks and briefings, I erred in my comments. The raid was legitimate because it supported the government’s operational policy of combating illegal mining near riverbanks and forest reserve areas,” the statement read.
Nana Nkansah II further commended the NAIMOS Task Force for its dedication and patriotism in the fight against illegal mining, adding that he remains committed to lawful mining practices, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment.
He also extended an apology to all stakeholders who may have been offended by his earlier statement, reaffirming his support for government efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
