The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has thwarted a bribery attempt by three individuals suspected of engaging in galamsey activities, following the confiscation of illegal mining equipment in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the task force persisted in its anti-galamsey operations, revisiting locations at Edwinase and Kokotro where earlier raids had successfully driven illegal miners away.
At Kokotro, the team uncovered a galamsey site perilously situated within the town, endangering lives, property, and the environment.
During the operation, NAIMOS dismantled makeshift structures, industrial pumping machines, and various other illegal mining equipment, while also confiscating a Liugong excavator, two Liugong monitors, and an unregistered motorcycle.
While returning to their base, three men — identified as Emmanuel Koblah, Samuel Addai, and Kofi Frimpong — approached the Taskforce in a Black Tundra F150 (registration GR 4743–16), asserting ownership of the Kokotro site and offering a bribe of GHC 119,825.00 to recover the seized items.
The Taskforce promptly declined the offer and apprehended the trio, subsequently handing them over to the Bekwai Police Station for further investigation and prosecution. The attempted bribe, along with the excavator monitors and vehicle, has been secured at NAIMOS headquarters.
NAIMOS has cautioned all illegal miners and their associates that any attempts to bribe officers will result in immediate arrest and prosecution.
The Secretariat also called upon local authorities and security agencies to enhance monitoring of previously raided sites to avert the resumption of illegal mining activities.
SOURCES:The Ghana Report
