General News
NAIMOS Denies Role in Alleged Shooting Death of Young Man at Akyem Hemang
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has denied reports linking its personnel to the alleged shooting death of a young man at Akyem Hemang in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.
The Secretariat, in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, described the reports as false and insisted that it did not conduct any operation at Akyem Hemang or within the area where the incident occurred.
The denial follows the reported death of Douglas Acheampong, who was allegedly shot on Wednesday, August 26, at about 7 p.m. in the Akyem Hemang community.
According to reports surrounding the incident, security personnel travelling in several vehicles allegedly stopped after encountering Kwaku Kwebia, an immigration officer who was reportedly dressed in civilian clothes and speaking on his mobile phone.
The personnel allegedly suspected Kwebia of being an informant and demanded that he surrender his phone. He reportedly told them that he was speaking with his brother but resisted handing over the device.
The situation allegedly escalated when the personnel attempted to force Kwebia into one of the vehicles. His sister and other residents reportedly intervened, leading to a confrontation.
Acheampong was said to have joined residents who attempted to prevent Kwebia from being taken away. As more people gathered, the personnel allegedly fired warning shots.
During the ensuing confusion, Acheampong was reportedly shot while fleeing with other residents. He was allegedly struck from behind, with the bullet reportedly entering through his back and exiting through his stomach.
Residents reportedly rushed him to a hospital after the personnel had left the area, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The incident reportedly angered residents, with calls emerging for justice and possible demonstrations over the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.
NAIMOS rejects attribution
NAIMOS, however, has categorically rejected any connection to the incident.
In a statement titled “NAIMOS Rebuts False Report of Alleged Shooting at Akyem Hemang,” the Secretariat said it had not conducted any operation at Akyem Hemang or within the area in question.
It further stated that no NAIMOS personnel were deployed within the jurisdiction at the time of the alleged shooting.
The Secretariat said it was concerned that a serious allegation involving the loss of human life had been attributed to it without verification.
According to NAIMOS, contacting the Secretariat before publication would have established that no NAIMOS operation was taking place in Akyem Hemang when the incident occurred.
NAIMOS clarifies operations with security agencies
The Secretariat also clarified its relationship with other security agencies involved in anti-illegal-mining activities.
NAIMOS explained that its operations are centrally coordinated and authorised by the Secretariat, usually in collaboration with recognised security and intelligence agencies.
These include the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), among others.
It stressed that the presence of uniformed security personnel conducting an anti-illegal-mining activity does not, by itself, mean that the operation was conducted under NAIMOS.
The Secretariat therefore cautioned that any anti-illegal-mining operation that was not authorised or sanctioned by NAIMOS should not automatically be attributed to it.
Calls for retraction and apology
NAIMOS has consequently called on media organisations that published or circulated the allegation to retract the reports, correct the record and issue an appropriate apology.
The Secretariat described the attribution as false and irresponsible, warning that unverified reports involving security personnel and loss of life could create unnecessary tension between communities and security agencies.
It also said such reports could undermine national efforts to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Police investigation underway
Despite NAIMOS’ denial, the circumstances surrounding Acheampong’s death remain unresolved.
The Eastern South Police Command is reportedly investigating the incident to establish what happened and identify the personnel allegedly involved.
The investigation is expected to determine the identity and institutional affiliation of the security personnel who were at the scene and whether they were operating under any recognised security command.
For now, NAIMOS maintains that none of its personnel was deployed to Akyem Hemang at the material time and that it had no authorised operation in the area.
The central question therefore remains whether the personnel allegedly involved in the shooting were operating under NAIMOS authority or another security arrangement—a matter that the ongoing police investigation is expected to clarify.