The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has strongly condemned the violent attack on personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and allied security operatives during an enforcement operation in the Ahafo Region.

In a formal statement, the coalition labelled the incident — allegedly instigated by a sitting Member of Parliament — as a “grave affront to national security, democratic governance and the rule of law.”

The attack took place during a routine anti-galamsey operation when officers were obstructed and physically assaulted by a mob believed to have been mobilised by local political actors.

Key demands and observations from the coalition include:

• Complaints that aggression against NAIMOS personnel equates to aggression against the state and undermines environmental protection efforts.
• A call for President John Dramani Mahama to issue a public reaffirmation of zero tolerance for illegal mining and political interference in law-enforcement operations.
• A demand for a full, independent investigation into the incident, with accountability pursued regardless of political status.
• An appeal to Parliament to initiate disciplinary action against the MP alleged to have been involved and to pass a bipartisan resolution condemning violence against enforcement officers.
• A reminder that public silence in the face of such incidents only emboldens impunity and compromises the fight against illegal mining.

The coalition further reiterated that the fight against illegal mining requires collective responsibility and non-partisan commitment, adding that any form of attack on state enforcement officers is an attack on Ghana’s sovereignty and future.