GNASSM Calls for Probe into Assault on NAIMOS Team
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has strongly condemned the violent attack on a team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region over the weekend.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, involved a group of angry youth and suspected illegal miners who reportedly assaulted members of the NAIMOS task force, vandalised an operational vehicle, and disrupted the team’s operation in the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the NAIMOS officials were in Hwidiem on a reconnaissance mission following intelligence reports of illegal mining activities. The situation escalated when the team attempted to apprehend some suspects, sparking a violent confrontation.
In a statement issued in Accra on Monday, November 3, 2025, and signed by GNASSM’s General Secretary, Mr. Godwin Nickleson Amarh, the association described the attack as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” stressing that officers of the state should not be assaulted in the line of duty.
“We cannot stress enough that NAIMOS operates as a legitimate state institution, and its officers should not be targeted while discharging their lawful duties,” the statement noted.
The Association cautioned against acts of mob justice, referencing the 2017 incident that led to the death of Major Maxwell Mahama, and urged mining communities to resolve grievances through lawful channels.
“We urge the youth in all mining communities to channel their grievances or concerns regarding NAIMOS’s activities through local leadership and proper legal channels,” GNASSM advised.
According to the Association, it has, over the past month, collaborated with NAIMOS to sensitise small-scale miners on the task force’s mandate and to promote cooperation between miners and security agencies.
GNASSM further called on the government to launch an immediate investigation into the Hwidiem attack and ensure the perpetrators face the full rigour of the law.
“Such measures will serve as a deterrent to others who may consider taking similar lawless actions,” the statement emphasised.
The Association reaffirmed its support for the government’s sustained fight against illegal mining — popularly known as galamsey — while underscoring its commitment to ensuring that licensed small-scale miners operate responsibly and within the confines of the law.
