The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has condemned a violent attack on members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) team in Hwidiem, in the Ahafo Region, describing the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
The attack occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, when a group of irate youth and alleged illegal miners reportedly confronted the NAIMOS taskforce during an operation, resulting in the destruction of an official vehicle and creating chaos in the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the NAIMOS team had gone to Hwidiem to conduct a reconnaissance mission and identified several individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities.
Attempts by the officers to arrest some of the suspects allegedly triggered the violent response.
In a statement signed by Godwin Nickleson Amarh, GNASSM’s General Secretary, and released in Accra on Monday, November 3, 2025, the association urged residents to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties peacefully.
“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 read.
GNASSM also drew parallels to the 2017 lynching of Major Maxwell Mahama, warning against any recurrence of such mob actions against security officers on duty.
“We urge the youth in all mining communities to channel their grievances or concerns about NAIMOS operations through local leadership and appropriate legal means,” the association added.
The association disclosed that it has been collaborating with NAIMOS over the past month to sensitize miners on the taskforce’s mandate and to promote peaceful coexistence between miners and security agencies.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, GNASSM called on the government to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the matter and to take decisive action against those found culpable.
“Such measures will serve as a deterrent to others who may consider taking similar lawless actions in the future,” the statement emphasized.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting responsible and regulated small-scale mining while cooperating with state agencies to combat illegal mining activities nationwide.
