The Chairman of the Savanna Research and Advocacy Network (SRAN), Nyeya Yen, has called for a stronger presence of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the Upper East Region to effectively tackle the growing menace of illegal mining.
Mr. Yen made the call while speaking to the media at the end of a two-day capacity-building workshop on mining accountability, organised by TAMA Foundation Universal in Bolgatanga.
He expressed concern that while NAIMOS appears to be making some impact in southern Ghana, its presence and activities in the Upper East Region remain largely invisible, despite the worsening galamsey situation.
“If you look at the Frafra area, more particularly Talensi and Nabdam, galamsey has become such a very critical issue. It is extremely serious. To some extent, NAIMOS is working very hard in the south, but I don’t think the same can be said here. I haven’t seen an office here, much more people going out. We don’t hear about NAIMOS in the Upper East,” Mr. Yen stated.
He described widespread environmental destruction in areas such as Pelungu, Duusi, and parts of Talensi, where farmlands have been heavily degraded by illegal mining activities.
“When you turn from Pelungu market towards Duusi, you would think it is commercial mining, heavy digging of the area. The land is being destroyed,” he observed.
He noted that in some communities, what should have been productive agricultural land has now been turned into large mining pits, threatening food security and livelihoods.
Mr. Yen warned that if urgent action is not taken, the Upper East Region risks losing its agrarian character, with long-term consequences for community survival, culture, and identity. He stressed that the region’s limited land size and growing population make uncontrolled mining particularly dangerous.
He further raised concerns about the extensive allocation of mining concessions across the region, cautioning that large-scale exploration and future mining could displace communities and undermine agriculture if not carefully regulated.
“The whole of Upper East has been given out to mining companies for exploration. When they find gold, what will happen? Our people will be driven away. Where will they go?” he questioned.
While acknowledging recent policy steps such as restrictions on mining in forest reserves, he argued that similar protections should be extended to residential and farming areas.
The SRAN Chairman also called on regulatory agencies, including the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority, to intensify monitoring and enforcement in the region.
Mr. Yen commended TAMA Foundation for organising the workshop, noting that beyond knowledge sharing, it provided an important platform for networking, collaboration, and collective action among civil society organisations, community leaders, and stakeholders working to address mining-related challenges in northern Ghana.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga
