Nzema East, Western Region – October 7, 2025:
In a renewed push against illegal mining, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Squad (NAIMOS) has carried out another successful operation along the Ankobra River and adjoining streams, the Kamei Stream and Abrodiem, in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
The Tuesday, October 7 operation forms part of the ongoing national effort to curb the destructive activities of “galamsey” operators, who continue to pose significant threats to Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems.
Acting on intelligence, NAIMOS operatives stormed the targeted mining zones, disrupting several illegal sites and confiscating or destroying equipment used in the operations.
According to the taskforce, the following items were seized or destroyed during the operation:
- 1 excavator
- 100 makeshift structures, which were set ablaze
- 7 chanfangs (floating dredging machines) destroyed
- 88 water pumping machines seized
- 3 gas cylinders, 3 shovels, 4 plastic chairs, 2 water hoses, 1 DSTV dish, 1 generator set, and 1 pickaxe confiscated
NAIMOS officials explained that the makeshift structures and equipment were being used by illegal miners operating along the banks of the Ankobra River and its tributaries, causing severe pollution and environmental degradation in the area.
The Ankobra River, one of Ghana’s key water bodies, has faced alarming pollution levels due to persistent illegal mining.
The recent NAIMOS operation has been widely commended by local authorities and residents, who expressed relief over the intervention.
A community elder in Abrodiem described the exercise as “a necessary rescue mission,” noting that the destruction of illegal mining setups will help restore water quality and reduce riverbank erosion.
Environmental groups have also hailed the move as an important step toward reclaiming the ecological integrity of the region.
Officials of NAIMOS reiterated the government’s determination to sustain the momentum against illegal mining.
They emphasized that similar coordinated actions would continue across the Western Region and other parts of the country until all illegal operations are completely dismantled.
The fight against galamsey is not a one-off exercise, a NAIMOS spokesperson stressed. It is a continuous national duty to protect our natural resources for future generations.
Background:
Illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The menace has led to the contamination of major rivers including the Ankobra, Pra, and Offin, resulting in the destruction of aquatic life, farmlands, and forest reserves.
The latest NAIMOS operation signals the government’s unwavering stance on enforcing environmental laws and restoring Ghana’s degraded landscapes.
Report By: Robicon Mornahson
