On Saturday, November 14, 2026, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene posted on Facebook that the National Anti‑Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) must review its operational approach after six people died during a confrontation in Manso Keniago on November 11.
He warned that the use of lethal force in anti‑illegal mining operations could become a political liability for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), and that some political actors were allegedly encouraging such force for political gain.
“They will push you to fight galamsey with lethal force, then turn around to make political gains out of it. These are the same people who are calling for a state of emergency,” Amoakohene wrote.
NAIMOS said its personnel acted in self‑defence after an armed group tried to obstruct the transport of seized excavators, but residents and traditional authorities disputed the account. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced an investigation, citing four deaths and 15 injuries, while local reports indicate six deaths and 15 injuries.
New Patriotic Party communications director Miracles Aboagye has also demanded a thorough inquiry, insisting that victims should not be automatically classified as illegal miners. Amoakohene echoed concerns raised by former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Dr Ayew Afriyie about the campaign’s handling.
He concluded that NAIMOS operations must be reviewed before they risk sending the NDC back to opposition, and invited social media users to share a video of the remarks in the comments section of his post.
What follows is a government‑wide reassessment of anti‑galamsey strategy and a potential shift in how illegal mining is tackled across Ghana.
