One NAIMOS officer dies, four injured in crash during anti galamsey operation
A tragic accident has claimed the life of a member of the National Anti Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat NAIMOS, while four other officers sustained serious injuries, following a crash that occurred as the team was returning from a field mission. The incident happened near Obuasi Airport after the taskforce had completed an anti galamsey operation in a mining hotspot.
According to officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the accident took place late in the evening when the NAIMOS vehicle reportedly lost control and overturned several times. The team of five was heading back to base after clamping down on illegal mining activities when the tragic rollover occurred. One officer was pronounced dead on the spot, while the other four were rushed to nearby hospitals for critical care.
The ministry has expressed its deep condolences to the family of the deceased and extended assurances that the injured officers will receive full medical support. In a formal statement, the minister pledged that every effort will be made to ensure their recovery and indicated that compensation measures will be made available to the affected families.
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the crash. Authorities are examining factors that might have contributed to the accident including road conditions, speed, vehicle maintenance, and whether the team was operating under fatigue. The police and road safety officials are collaborating with NAIMOS to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Witnesses at the crash scene said the vehicle overturned on a stretch of road close to the Obuasi Airport. Some suggested that the road may have been poorly maintained or that night time visibility was low. These preliminary accounts are being cross checked by investigation teams and forensic analysis will inform any final causative findings.
The accident has reignited debate over the risks faced by law enforcement officers engaged in anti illegal mining operations. Mining sector observers have long warned about the danger of deploying personnel without sufficient logistical support particularly in remote areas with poor infrastructure. The crash, they argue, underscores the need for improved transport safety measures and systematic risk assessments.
Environmental and mining activists have also expressed shock and sadness. They stressed that while the fight against galamsey illegal mining is vital to Ghana’s ecological health, it must never come at the cost of human life. Many are calling for reforms that ensure better protection, proper vehicles, and safety protocols for taskforce officers operating in hostile or high risk terrains.
At the same time, some political voices are urging robust institutional accountability. They demand that investigations should not only focus on the mechanical or environmental causes of the crash but also on broader policy issues: budget allocations for equipment, regular inspections of taskforce vehicles, and formal welfare support for personnel working on the frontlines.
In response, the Lands Ministry has committed to reviewing its transport and deployment strategy for NAIMOS personnel. It said that under its new plan, all taskforce operations will be accompanied by dedicated logistics and medical standby teams especially for remote missions. The ministry also announced that road safety training will be intensified for taskforce drivers as part of its preventive measures.
This incident serves as a heavy reminder of the sacrifices made by those on the front lines of Ghana’s environmental protection efforts. As the nation watches, many are calling for immediate action to ensure that no more lives are lost in the name of safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Accountability, safety, and reform are now central to the narrative not just in rhetoric, but in tangible policy change.
