In a bold and determined effort to protect Ghana’s water bodies from destruction, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force, working in collaboration with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, has carried out a large-scale riverine operation along the Ankobra River, dismantling entrenched illegal mining activities that have long threatened the ecosystem.

The intensive operation, which covered nearly 10 kilometres from Gwira Eshiam to Anyinase, exposed extensive illegal mining operations, especially at the notorious site known as “Cocoa Ase” in Gwira Banso, where illegal miners were actively dredging the riverbed.

Upon spotting the Task Force, the miners fled, abandoning their machinery and makeshift camps.

In a decisive enforcement move, the Task Force burned over 100 makeshift shelters, destroyed seven Chanfang machines, and seized 23 water pumping machines, gas cylinders, shovels, and other mining tools — including a DSTV dish believed to have been used on site.

A Hyundai excavator discovered at Abrodiem was also immobilised after its pump and gear lever were removed to prevent further use.

Further inspections revealed that the Kamei Stream, a vital tributary of the Ankobra, had been blocked and diverted by illegal miners to facilitate their operations.

The Task Force successfully reopened the waterway and destroyed over 50 additional pumping machines found at a nearby repair shop, ensuring they could no longer be used for illegal mining.

Issuing a stern warning after the operation, officials from NAIMOS cautioned all illegal miners to immediately vacate the Ankobra River and its adjoining communities.

“This operation is just the beginning,” a NAIMOS official declared.

“We will not relent in our mission to protect Ghana’s environment and water resources from further degradation.”

The successful sweep marks a major victory in the national campaign against illegal mining, also known as galamsey, and reinforces NAIMOS’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s rivers and restoring ecological balance.

With this latest operation, the message from NAIMOS is unmistakable — the era of impunity on the Ankobra River is over.