Ghana’s intensified fight against illegal mining — popularly known as galamsey — entered a new phase this week as two national task forces, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards, launched simultaneous operations in the Eastern and Western Regions.

The task forces dismantled dozens of illegal mining sites, seized heavy machinery, and reclaimed degraded lands and waterways.

The coordinated enforcement campaign, which began on Monday, October 13, marks one of the most extensive anti-galamsey crackdowns this year.

NAIMOS Task Force storms Eastern Region:

Acting on credible intelligence, NAIMOS operatives descended on Oda Nkwanta, Birim Central Municipality, and the Akanteng–Asamankese corridor, uncovering active illegal mining sites destroying cocoa farms and polluting tributaries of the River Birim.

As the task force approached, many miners fled, abandoning three excavators, five motorbikes, and several other items, including excavator batteries and computer monitors. One excavator was found concealed deep within the bush — an indication of the growing sophistication of these illegal operations.

The offensive continued on Tuesday, October 14, with new raids at Old Abirem, Kyenkyenku, and the Oboho Forest Reserve. Officers disabled and destroyed several excavators, heavy-duty water pumps, and fuel drums. At Old Abirem, three individuals were arrested for questioning, leading authorities to another illegal mining site nearby.

In Kyenkyenku, miners were found working dangerously close to a public road, while in the Oboho Forest Reserve in the Ayensuano District, four excavators were discovered parked in nearby villages — raising suspicions of external financing and protection for the illicit trade.

Blue Water Guards Strike in Wassa Agona and Mpohor

While NAIMOS was active in the east, the Blue Water Guards extended the campaign to the Western Region, conducting operations in Wassa Agona, Bogoso, Bayerigya, and Mpohor to halt the destruction of farmlands and water bodies.

On Tuesday, October 14, officers under the Mpohor Blue Water Guards carried out a high-intensity operation at Mile 9 in the Mpohor Fiase District, where a mining machine was destroyed and burnt.

The following day, Wednesday, October 15, the Tarkwa Nsuaem team launched a decisive raid at Wassa Agona, a community near the River Bonsa. The operation, part of a community-led campaign to protect one of the region’s vital water sources, led to the seizure and destruction of 22 pumping machines and 18 Changfang gold extraction units, which were set ablaze on site.

The momentum continued on Thursday, October 16, as the Bogoso River Guards mounted a dawn operation at Ehyireso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality. One Changfang machine was destroyed and several other tools seized along the Mansi River.

Later that morning, around 9:00 a.m., another team raided Bayerigya, also in the Prestea Huni Valley area, where two additional pumping machines were confiscated, and various mining components dismantled and destroyed.

Government’s Renewed Commitment

Officials from NAIMOS and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources say these coordinated operations form part of a sustained national effort to reclaim Ghana’s degraded lands and polluted rivers from illegal mining syndicates.

They stressed that the enforcement drive will continue across multiple regions, with enhanced intelligence gathering, technology deployment, and stronger community collaboration to protect reclaimed sites.

As Ghana intensifies its war on illegal mining, the message from government and environmental advocates remains clear — the era of unchecked galamsey must come to an end.