The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has raised concerns over the growing involvement of minors in galamsey activities across the country.
Speaking at an Editors’ Forum on Wednesday, March 25, Col. Dominic Buah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, described the trend as alarming and a threat to both the children involved and the broader communities.
“One phenomenon we have observed is the involvement of children in the sector. They are minors working in these dangerous conditions, and that is a serious concern,” he said.
He added that NAIMOS has referred the matter to the relevant authorities, including the Social Welfare Department under the Ministry, to ensure the children are protected, and appropriate interventions are made
“We have detailed records of where these minors were found, and this is becoming a concerning trend,” he added.
He further disclosed that, in its ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, NAIMOS has arrested 237 individuals, with the majority being foreign nationals operating in unregulated sites
