The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested a Chinese national for engaging in illegal mining activities in the Eastern Region.
According to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the suspect has been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Addressing the media on Friday, November 7, 2025, the Ministry revealed that this latest arrest follows the recent detention of seven Chinese nationals in the Nzema East Municipality as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on galamsey activities.
“Colonel Buah, the Director of Operations for NAIMOS, has reiterated that the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining will continue relentlessly. Two days ago, seven Chinese were arrested in Nzema East, and today, another has been arrested in the Eastern Region,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry of Lands further condemned a recent attack on an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) team and accompanying journalists by illegal miners during a joint operation near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
Narrating the ordeal, EPA Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nana Ama Klutse, explained that the team was ambushed by armed miners while conducting inspections at Dadwene, forcing them to flee.
“We saw heavily armed men advancing towards us. Although military and national security officers were with us, we could not exchange fire, so we fled,” Prof. Klutse said.
During the escape, one of the EPA vehicles carrying staff and journalists collided head-on with a truck transporting mining equipment, resulting in multiple injuries.
The Ministry has described the attack as “unfortunate and unacceptable”, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding environmental officers and ensuring illegal miners face justice.
