Government has confirmed a leadership change at Ghana’s National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS), with Colonel S.K. Appiah taking over as Director of Operations from Colonel Dominic Buah as part of what authorities describe as a routine strategic rotation.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced the transition in a Facebook post by its spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, noting that the handover had already taken place.

“Moments ago, Colonel Dominic Buah officially handed over to Colonel S.K. Appiah, who now takes over as the new Director of Operations for NAIMOS,” the post said, adding that the move is intended to enhance operational efficiency.

The change has also been described by officials as part of regular administrative and operational adjustments within the security architecture supporting the fight against illegal mining.

Environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor had earlier reported in May that the commander of the secretariat was being replaced as part of a rotation within the Ghana Armed Forces.

In his post, Donkor described Colonel Buah as a “principled soldier” who had played a significant role in efforts against illegal mining, also known locally as galamsey, and expressed hope that his successor would sustain the momentum in ongoing operations.

NAIMOS has been central to Ghana’s intensified campaign against illegal mining, which continues to pose environmental threats to water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands.

Illegal mining remains a persistent national challenge, with successive governments pledging to curb its impact on the environment and local communities.