The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Blue Water Guards, has recorded major operational successes in the Western Region following sustained enforcement actions carried out between 16 and 17 January 2026. The operations, conducted on both water bodies and land-based mining sites, have significantly disrupted illegal mining activities, inflicted heavy financial losses on operators, and reduced the immediate environmental threat to rivers, farmlands, and public infrastructure.
The crackdown began in the early hours of Friday, 16 January 2026, at about 0615 hours, when NAIMOS operatives stormed illegal mining sites on the Ankobrah River at Ablebo in the Nzema East District. About sixty (60) illegal miners were found actively operating on the river.
On sighting the task force, the miners fled, abandoning approximately fifty (50) improvised boats mounted with an estimated eighty (80) chanfan machines. All chanfan machines and mining equipment found on the water body were destroyed, bringing operations on that stretch of the river to an abrupt halt and preventing further pollution.
To consolidate the gains made during the morning raid, NAIMOS launched a night operation later the same day between 1800 hours and 2019 hours at the same location. Confirmatory reconnaissance revealed that the illegal miners, fearing further losses, had hurriedly removed essential equipment from the river and surrounding water bodies. To further incapacitate them and prevent a quick return, the task force gathered all remaining floating boats and several wooden gold-washing platforms and set them ablaze, effectively dismantling the logistical base of the illegal operations.
On Saturday, 17 January 2026, at about 0915 hours, NAIMOS extended the operation to Anyinase in the Tarkwa Nsuaem District, where Chinese and local illegal miners were operating under a high-tension electric pole. One (1) Chinese national was arrested on site, while others fled. A Toyota Hilux pickup vehicle used in the illegal activity was seized, and two (2) heavy-duty water pumping machines with hoses were destroyed.
An excavator that had been in use at the site was moved and concealed in nearby bushes following early warning by local collaborators. The arrested suspect and the seized vehicle were escorted to NAIMOS headquarters for further investigations.
Later the same day, between 1430 hours and 1900 hours, NAIMOS operatives conducted further operations at Mensah-Krom, Wassa Akropong, targeting two (2) illegal mining sites operated by Chinese nationals. At the first site, two (2) excavators were found actively engaged in illegal mining before the operators fled. The machines were immobilized by removing key components, rendering them inoperable.
Additional equipment, including industrial water pumping machines, gold-trapping carpets, and water hoses, were seized and destroyed. The operation also revealed extensive environmental degradation, with arable farmlands and palm plantations destroyed and mining activities carried out dangerously close to a third-class road.
At a second nearby site, fresh excavator tracks indicated recent illegal mining activity. Intelligence from local sources confirmed that two (2) excavators had been operating earlier in the day, but were moved after the miners received advance information of the task force’s approach. Makeshift structures and personal belongings left behind were dismantled and destroyed.
The cumulative effect of the operations has been a severe disruption of illegal mining networks in the Western Region. By destroying river-based equipment, burning floating platforms, immobilizing excavators, seizing vehicles, and arresting key actors, NAIMOS has significantly raised the cost of illegal mining and reduced the ability of operators to quickly resume activities.
The actions have also provided immediate relief to the Ankobrah River and surrounding ecosystems, while safeguarding farmlands and public infrastructure.
Going forward, NAIMOS has indicated that enforcement will not be limited to sporadic raids. As part of a broader strategy to permanently stop illegal mining, the Secretariat plans the permanent deployment of NAIMOS field operatives in identified hotspots, particularly along critical rivers and high-risk communities. This will be complemented by sustained day-and-night operations, strengthened intelligence gathering, closer collaboration with the Blue Water Guards and local stakeholders, and rapid response interventions to prevent re-entry by illegal miners.
These measures, NAIMOS says, are aimed at ensuring that gains made are sustained, illegal miners are deterred from returning, and Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands, and communities are protected from further destruction.
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