Intensified Efforts to Combat Illegal Mining in Nzema East
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has significantly escalated its nationwide campaign against galamsey, targeting areas such as Akango and surrounding communities in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region. This latest operation, conducted on 6 November 2025, focused on Evalue Gwira, Agbanzie, and Bameigo communities following intelligence reports about illegal mining activities involving Chinese nationals.
Operation at Evalue Gwira
At Evalue Gwira, a NAIMOS taskforce discovered three excavators hidden in the bush after local informants alerted the miners. The equipment was quickly immobilized by removing three control boards to prevent further use. A search of makeshift wooden structures used as living quarters for the illegal miners resulted in the confiscation of several items, including five standing fans, one freezer, three batteries, one fridge, one dish warmer, three control boards, and three cylinders. The temporary structures and their contents were set ablaze to prevent the illegal operators from returning.
Challenges at Agbanzie
The team later moved to Agbanzie but faced difficulties accessing an active illegal mining site across the River Ankobra due to the lack of life jackets and boats. This highlighted the logistical challenges NAIMOS faces in conducting operations in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
Inspection at Bameigo
In Bameigo, a Chinese mining firm was inspected, and after verification with NAIMOS headquarters, its operations were confirmed to be legitimate. This underscores the importance of distinguishing between legal and illegal mining activities.
Director’s Comments
The Director of Operations at NAIMOS commended the taskforce for their professionalism and persistence. He noted that parts of the Ankobra River have begun to regain their natural clarity due to the continuous presence of NAIMOS operatives and the Blue Water Guards, who conduct periodic patrols along the river. He described the mission as a strong signal that the Secretariat’s fight against illegal mining is yielding results. “Every successful operation reclaims part of our future,” he said, reaffirming NAIMOS’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
Logistical Challenges
Despite the success, the operation highlighted logistical challenges such as the lack of boats and life jackets, which hindered access to illegal mining activity across the Ankobra River. The Secretariat has therefore called for immediate support to equip its teams with the necessary tools to sustain river patrols and operations in hard-to-reach areas.
No Injuries Reported
No casualties or injuries were recorded during the mission, indicating the effectiveness of the operation in minimizing risks to both the taskforce and the local communities.
Broader Impact
The latest success at Akango adds to a growing list of NAIMOS operations that have disrupted illegal mining networks across the country, reinforcing the Secretariat’s reputation as Ghana’s leading force in the fight to safeguard the nation’s lands and rivers.