The NAIMOS task force has conducted a major intelligence-led operation to remove illegal miners (galamseyers) who had invaded and severely destroyed cocoa plantations in Adanse Anomabo, a village in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti Region. The operation took place on Monday, December 8, 2025, following multiple petitions from the local cocoa farmers association.
Cocoa Plantations Left in Ruins
Upon arriving at the illegal mining area, known locally as the Kakra site, the taskforce discovered extensive destruction to farmlands. The illegal mining activities had devastated large portions of cocoa plantations, leaving farmers angered, distressed, and on the brink of losing their livelihoods.
The galamsey operators fled the scene when they detected the presence of the taskforce, abandoning their tools and equipment.
Excavators Immobilized, Weapons Seized
As part of the operation, the troops destroyed tools and equipment left behind. Six excavators found on the site were immobilised to prevent their reuse, as there were no lowbed trucks available to transport them.
During a sweep of the area, the team also discovered and seized:
- One pump-action gun
- Seven cartridges
The presence of weapons, authorities say, confirms the increasing risks associated with illegal mining operations.
Several makeshift shelters serving as hideouts for the miners were demolished and set ablaze. Pipe hoses and other items supporting the illegal operations were also burned completely.
Cocoa Farmers Demand Justice
Local cocoa farmers have expressed deep frustration over the destruction, calling for sustained government intervention to protect farmlands and preserve the country’s cocoa industry, one of Ghana’s primary foreign exchange earners.
The NAIMOS taskforce has assured the community of continued operations to clamp down on galamsey activities threatening agricultural lands and ecosystems in the region.
