The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its enforcement campaign against illegal mining along the Ankobrah River, carrying out a targeted night operation in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region to curb activities that continue to undermine Ghana’s water security and local economic livelihoods.
The operation, conducted late Wednesday evening at Ayiem Juabo, followed intelligence reports indicating ongoing illegal mining upstream of the Ankobrah River, one of the country’s critical water bodies supporting agriculture, fishing, and industrial use in the Western Corridor.
According to NAIMOS, officers moved in at about 8:30 p.m. to dismantle an illegal mining camp situated directly along the riverbank, where mining activities were reportedly contributing to severe water pollution. Seven suspected illegal miners were arrested during the raid, including minors, raising fresh concerns about child involvement in environmentally destructive economic activities.
Among those apprehended were individuals aged between 15 and 40 years. One suspect was found carrying a Ghanaian identification card bearing a different name, which authorities say will form part of ongoing investigations.
In a brief statement after the operation, NAIMOS said the intervention was necessary to prevent further degradation of the river system. “The objective of this operation was to halt destructive activities and protect the water body from further pollution,” the Secretariat noted.
Officers retrieved and disabled several pieces of mining equipment at the site, including nine water pumping machines, mining trays and pans, mobile phones, and various charms believed to be used by the miners. All makeshift structures at the camp were dismantled, and equipment on site was destroyed to prevent the immediate resumption of illegal mining activities.
The arrested suspects have since been handed over to the Ayiem Juabo Police Station to assist with investigations and prosecution, while the seized pumping machines have been transported to NAIMOS headquarters in Accra for safekeeping and further action.
Beyond enforcement, the Secretariat says it is shifting toward a more sustained operational model. NAIMOS has begun implementing plans to permanently deploy field officers to identified galamsey hotspots, a move aimed at reducing response times and strengthening intelligence-led operations across affected districts.
The strategy is expected to increase the frequency of both daytime and nighttime interventions, particularly in areas where illegal mining poses direct risks to water bodies, farmlands, and downstream economic activities.
Illegal mining continues to pose significant economic costs to Ghana, affecting water treatment expenses, agricultural productivity, and investor confidence in mining governance. Authorities say sustained enforcement will be critical to safeguarding both environmental assets and long-term economic stability.
