Calls Mount for Interdiction of Armah Kofi Buah as Galamsey Seizure Scandal Deepens

Pressure is mounting on government to take decisive action in the unfolding controversy over the release of seized illegal mining excavators, with growing calls for the interdiction of Armah Kofi Buah and the dissolution of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The development follows syndicated reports accusing soldiers guarding 41 seized excavators at Simpa Junction in Tarkwa of acting as “rogue elements” allegedly involved in extortion.
Critics, however, argue that the narrative is a smear campaign against the young military officers, who were deployed under legitimate instructions to secure the equipment for almost three months.
According to security insiders, the soldiers in question were trained officers attached to the Presidency and assigned specific duties at the mining sites.
“These men did nothing wrong. They were carrying out official orders,” one source insisted.
Allegations have surfaced that as much as $2 million was collected from Chinese operators for the release of their excavators, with Ghanaian operators paying GH¢100,000 per machine.
Observers argue that such transactions could not have occurred without the involvement of high-ranking officials.
The controversy has led to fresh questions:
• How did just four officers manage to seize and guard 41 heavy-duty machines for months?
• Why has the “real task force” remained silent on the identities of those who ordered the eventual release of the machines?
Critics have warned that NAIMOS risks becoming a shield for politically connected galamsey operators rather than an enforcer of the anti-illegal mining campaign.
Civil society voices are urging President John Dramani Mahama to act swiftly to restore credibility to the government’s anti-galamsey efforts.
They argue that anything short of a full-scale investigation, coupled with accountability for those behind the scandal, would undermine the fight against illegal mining and embolden offenders.
“The public deserves to know the truth. If these soldiers are indeed guilty, then name and shame them. But if they acted under legitimate authority, then the real culprits are those who ordered the release of the excavators,” one anti-galamsey advocate stated.
It has been established however that AU Fields Ltd has entered into mining support services agreement (MOU) with Adamus Company Ltd.
With this arrangement, AU Fields seeks support from National Security and other source to clear illegal miners from Adamus Company Ltd.
This was agreed and on June 23, 2025, the operation was carried out, when the team met some soldiers led by Capt Komlagah at entrance of Adamus concession.
Komlagah initially claimed his team was acting under instructions from the Presidency, but later changed his position, alleging that the operation was sanctioned by Minister Buah and his brother.
Capt Komlagah claimed his team had cleared all machines from the Adamus concession but when the original team entered the concession, they arrested 42 machines and kept same at Simpa Junction under military guard.
Meanwhile, on June 10, 2025, realising his brother Col Buah has been exposed, the Minister of Land & Natural Resources appointed Col Buah as head of anti-galamsey and backdated his Appointment letter to 10/06/25 when at that time the said task-force had not been established and inaugurated.
NAIMOS was hurried formed on June 27, 2025.
But on June 23, 2025, a military team led by Capt. Komlagah seized the excavators and stationed them at Simpa Junction.
Col. Buah, described as head of an “illegal galamsey agenda,” backdated a letter on June 10, 2025, to legitimise his involvement in the operation.
Three attempts were reportedly made by him and other collaborators to have the excavators released, with some machines later finding their way back to illegal miners.
The Ministry of Defence is said to have considered transferring the machines to the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2BN) for safekeeping, but logistical challenges forced soldiers to remain on-site to guard the equipment.
On June 29, 2025, the report claims, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources met secretly with selected media personalities in an attempt to smear anti-galamsey campaigners, Abanga and Yamin.
The following day, media reports of an “illegal operation” began circulating, with Abanga and Yamin widely mentioned.
Subsequently, on July 15, 2025, the Attorney-General directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the two campaigners.
Two days later, on July 17, an alleged attempt by Col. Buah and associates to arrest the soldiers and release the machines failed. A second attempt on July 18 also collapsed.
The revelations have fuelled fresh calls for the interdiction of Armah Kofi Buah and the dissolution of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), amid concerns that political interference is undermining the government’s anti-galamsey campaign.
Neither the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources nor Col. Buah has publicly responded to the allegations.