The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 10 armed men impersonating members of the Anti-Galamsey Task Force in the Nyankamam-Armori forest of Aowin Municipality, Western North Region.
The thugs reportedly claimed links with the Aowin Paramount Chief and were extorting money from illegal miners, effectively encouraging galamsey activities.
Joynews confirmed the arrests and said the suspects were taken into custody along with weapons and traditional talismans.
The operation by NAIMOS highlights ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, which has been linked to environmental degradation, deforestation, and water pollution across Ghana.
The Aowin Municipality, in particular, has faced growing galamsey activity despite previous enforcement efforts.
Officials noted that the arrested men were not part of any legitimate task force and that their activities could have undermined government initiatives to curb illegal mining.
NAIMOS has urged local communities and miners to report suspicious individuals posing as law enforcement or task force personnel.