NAIMOS Issues Strong Warning After Two Officers Shot, Two Civilians Killed in Ashanti Anti-Galamsey Clash

Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has issued a firm warning to anyone who stands in the way of its personnel, following a deadly clash in the Ashanti Region that turned a routine equipment transfer into a violent standoff. Two NAIMOS officers were shot and wounded, and two civilians lost their lives in what the Secretariat described as an unacceptable act of armed resistance against lawful enforcement work.

What happened at Manso Keniago

According to a statement released by NAIMOS on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, the incident unfolded when a task force was transporting excavators that had been seized during an anti-galamsey operation to a secure holding facility. The convoy was intercepted by an armed group determined to block the movement of the confiscated equipment.

When the situation threatened to spiral out of control, NAIMOS officers fired warning shots in an effort to disperse the group and prevent further escalation. However, two of the Secretariat's own personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation, while two civilians were also killed. The Secretariat condemned the violence in the strongest terms, describing attacks, threats and any other form of violent resistance against its operations as completely unacceptable.

"Such conduct will not be tolerated," the Secretariat said, urging members of the public to cooperate with enforcement activities rather than obstruct them. NAIMOS reaffirmed its resolve to press ahead with lawful operations across the country, regardless of intimidation or resistance from those with interests in illegal mining.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Manso Keniago clash is a stark reminder of just how entrenched and dangerous the illegal small-scale mining — commonly known as galamsey — problem has become in Ghana. The Ashanti Region, with its rich mineral deposits, has long been one of the most active areas for both legal and illegal mining activity, and clashes between enforcement teams and galamsey operators are not new.

What makes this incident particularly alarming is the level of organisation and firepower apparently at the disposal of those protecting illegal operations. Armed groups intercepting state task forces and opening fire on officers represents a serious escalation that goes beyond ordinary criminal resistance — it raises questions about the safety of enforcement personnel and the broader capacity of the state to reclaim control of its natural resources.

Ghana has poured significant political capital and public resources into the fight against galamsey, with successive governments facing pressure from environmental groups, farming communities and international partners to protect the country's water bodies, forest reserves and agricultural land from the devastating effects of illegal mining. NAIMOS was established as a central coordinating body for these efforts, and its ability to operate freely and safely is critical to any meaningful progress.

The broader challenge ahead

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the Manso Keniago incident highlights a persistent tension: confiscating equipment is one of the most effective tools authorities have against galamsey operators, since excavators and other heavy machinery represent enormous financial investment. It is precisely because that equipment is so valuable that armed groups are motivated to resist its seizure with deadly force.

• NAIMOS has urged the public to refrain from obstructing enforcement activities in any form.
• The Secretariat has pledged to continue operations nationwide despite violent resistance.
• Authorities are expected to investigate the full circumstances of the clash and the identities of those involved.

As Ghana continues its long and difficult battle against illegal mining, the events at Manso Keniago serve as a sobering signal that the enforcement effort carries real and potentially fatal risks — and that strengthening the protection of frontline personnel must be part of the national strategy going forward.