The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has said the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) does not embark on operations with aggression but may take decisive action to protect its officers when faced with imminent threats.
The Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, said the task force’s primary responsibility was to enforce the law through the arrest of persons involved in illegal mining activities.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Schandorf explained that NAIMOS was expected to operate within the confines of the law and avoid actions that could be considered excessive.
He said, however, said that the task force would not hesitate to take appropriate action if its officers faced threats that could result in death or injury during operations.
“When it comes to community obstructions or resistance, NAIMOS’ first and principal point of call or consideration is to ensure that it acts within the remits of the law and doesn’t do anything that can be construed as an excessive reaction,” he said.
He added that the circumstances surrounding each operation would determine the level of response required from the officers.
“That notwithstanding, when the task force at any material moment is faced with imminent threats, threats that could actually lead to the loss of life of members of the task force or injury, appropriate and proportionate action will be taken,” he stated.
Mr Schandorf said it was therefore wrong to suggest that NAIMOS entered communities with an aggressive approach as its starting point.
According to him, the task force’s mandate is primarily to arrest illegal miners and ensure that the law is enforced.
“So, it is not a case that NAIMOS goes into any community with aggression in the very first place. No, their task and their mandate is basically to enforce by way of arresting illegal miners,” he explained.
The Ministry’s spokesperson further explained that although the task force was expected to carry out its operations peacefully, it could resort to other decisive measures if the safety of its officers was threatened.
He said such action would be guided by necessity and proportionality rather than aggression.
“But if at any point in the lawful execution of that mandate or duty, it emerges that NAIMOS has to employ other decisive actions to save the lives of its members, I think it will be done appropriately,” he said.
Mr Schandorf also referred to comments by the sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who has indicated that members of the task force are entitled to defend themselves when circumstances make it necessary.
“In any case, the sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has stated clearly that the NAIMOS task force is at liberty to defend themselves where it is extremely necessary,” he added.
He said that the task force would not resort to force without justification, insisting that the nature of the threat would determine the appropriate response.
“And so, it will be based on necessity. If there is no need for any intense action, NAIMOS typically will just do its civil operations and then arrest those who have to be arrested,” Mr Schandorf said.