The Lands Ministry has expressed concerns regarding the rising number of individuals who are reportedly impersonating operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), with their actions being mistakenly attributed to the anti-galamsey task force.
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the Media Relations Officer at the Lands Ministry, stated that the impersonation of NAIMOS personnel has become a significant issue, as some individuals are allegedly donning military uniforms and claiming to be members of the task force.
Speaking in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Eyewitness News on Friday, August 28, he mentioned that the most recent allegation involved the shooting of a young man in Akyem Hemang, located in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.
He clarified that NAIMOS had no personnel stationed in Akyem Hemang or its vicinity at the time of the incident.
“More often than not, a lot of people parade as NAIMOS operatives. It’s one of the challenges that NAIMOS is currently confronted with, where people adorn themselves in military uniforms and identify themselves as NAIMOS personnel.”
Mr. Schandorf emphasized that no NAIMOS operation had taken place in Akyem Hemang or its broader area in relation to the reported shooting.
He also dismissed any suggestions that NAIMOS personnel could have been involved in the fatal shooting, asserting that taking human lives is not part of the task force’s mandate.
His remarks came in response to the reported shooting death of a young man named Douglas Acheampong in Akyem Hemang on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The incident reportedly took place around 7 p.m., with the deceased allegedly shot at close range. Initial reports had linked the incident to NAIMOS personnel.
Mr. Schandorf, however, characterized the allegation as false and urged the public to differentiate between authentic NAIMOS personnel and those who are allegedly impersonating members of the task force.
He further added such impersonation risks undermining public confidence in NAIMOS and creating a false impression about the conduct and mandate of its operations.
