NAIMOS Destroys Shelters and Seizes Excavator at Kakra
A special operation by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Taskforce (NAIMOS) has revealed extensive damage to cocoa and palm farms at Kakra in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti Region.
The raid, conducted on Monday, December 8, uncovered large swathes of previously fertile land rendered unusable by illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’. Acres of thriving plantations have been transformed into deep pits and contaminated soil, sparking fears for the future of agriculture in the area.
Suspected Chinese miners and their Ghanaian collaborators fled the site moments before the NAIMOS team arrived. Despite their escape, the task force seized one excavator, dismantled makeshift shelters used by the miners, and recovered other equipment employed in the illegal operations.
The scale of the devastation points to a worrying trend in the spread of galamsey across the country. Illegal mining activities are not only destroying farmlands but also polluting vital water sources and degrading forest reserves.
Residents say the destruction represents a significant loss of livelihood and poses a threat to food security. “These farmlands were our source of income. Now, they are just pits filled with dangerous chemicals. We don’t know what to do,” a local farmer reportedly lamented.
Government, through agencies like NAIMOS, continues to intensify efforts to curb illegal mining, implementing stricter regulations and running public awareness campaigns. However, officials acknowledge the lure of quick profits remains a powerful draw for many.
Monday’s operation was a joint effort between NAIMOS and the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), specifically targeting an area notorious for the destruction of cocoa farms. COCOBOD officials have expressed their commitment to protecting cocoa-growing lands from further encroachment.
The Taskforce intends to continue such raids to deter the illegal miners and save the country’s agricultural lands.
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