Still in the battle against illegal mining activities that continue to affect Ghana’s concession lands, forest areas and rural communities, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has carried out a dawn operation at the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) plantation in Adiewoso in the Western Region, leading to the arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners and the seizure of cash and weapons.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, April 30, 2026, followed an earlier confrontation in which NAIMOS personnel deployed in the Nzema East area reportedly came under attack from suspected illegal miners.
According to a detailed account shared on social media by Edem Ashigbi, the situation escalated after “illegal miners on NAIMOS operatives stationed in Nzema East, who came under sustained fire from a group of armed illegal miners” allegedly fired at a taskforce vehicle during enforcement activity.
He added that the attack “required prompt response by NAIMOS to deter future occurrence,” prompting an immediate intelligence-led response and subsequent operation.
In response, NAIMOS mounted a coordinated cordon-and-search operation between approximately 0330 and 0430 hours at Adiewoso and surrounding communities. A total of 114 individuals were initially detained and transported to the Adiewoso Community Centre for screening, identification, and verification.
Following screening, authorities confirmed that 49 individuals were directly involved in illegal mining activities within the GREL plantation concession. The remaining individuals were identified as legitimate GREL workers, students from nearby communities, and residents, and were subsequently released.
NAIMOS said the operation resulted in the recovery of a pump-action firearm, alongside significant cash suspected to be linked to illegal mining operations. Authorities reported the seizure of more than GH¢226,000 in cash, including GH¢140,000 found in a Toyota Raize vehicle belonging to one suspect identified as Daniel Avoka, and an additional GH¢86,710 recovered from a Toyota Hilux.
Two containers of small ball-like substances wrapped in paper, suspected to be gold-related material, were also retrieved. Other items seized included substances suspected to be Indian hemp and cartons of cigarettes.
One of the vehicles linked to the operation, a Toyota Hilux, was impounded, and its owner, Ebenezer Cobbinah, was arrested at the scene and is assisting with investigations, according to NAIMOS.
Three foreign nationals were among those identified during screening. They were named as Abdul Karim of Niger, and Nash Ishaku and Eliyasu Sie of Burkina Faso.
A joint team from NAIMOS, the Ghana Police Service, and management of GREL supported the operation, assisting in distinguishing legitimate plantation workers from suspects operating within the concession area. Verified employees were released.
NAIMOS said the operation forms part of sustained national efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey,” which continues to pose environmental, security, and economic risks across Ghana’s productive land and water bodies.
The Secretariat added that it remains committed to enforcing the law and protecting national resources, stating that it will not be deterred by intimidation or armed resistance.
Illegal mining has long been a major policy challenge in Ghana, with repeated enforcement operations targeting activities in forest reserves, river bodies, and agricultural concessions.
