NAIMOS, Blue Water Guards, and Western Region Security Intensify Anti-Galamsey Operations on River Ankobra

The fight against illegal mining (galamsey) has been intensified in the Western Region as the National Inland Mining Operations Security Task Force (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Western Regional Security Council, Western Naval Command, and Nzema East Blue Water Guards, carried out fresh operations along the Ankobra River.

The latest raid, which took place on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, covered stretches of the river from Dwira Ashem through Dominase to Akango in the Nzema East Municipality.

According to officials, the joint task force simultaneously patrolled and raided makeshift structures erected along the banks of the river, while the naval personnel and regional security operatives dismantled illegal mining activities being carried out directly on the water body.

For the past three weeks, NAIMOS has been sponsoring and leading such coordinated operations aimed at eliminating all forms of galamsey activities on and around the Ankobra River, which remains one of the most heavily polluted rivers in Ghana due to illegal mining.

The latest operation yielded significant results, including the seizure and destruction of several mining equipment and materials. The breakdown is as follows:

20 makeshift structures burnt

10 dredging platforms destroyed

20 chanfangs destroyed

4 motorbikes seized

15 pumping machines seized

2 solar panels seized

1 standing fan seized

1 television set seized

3 gas cylinders seized


Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the fight against illegal mining to protect Ghana’s water bodies and safeguard the environment for future generations.

The Western Regional Security Council has also warned individuals and groups still engaged in galamsey along the Ankobra River to desist from the practice, stressing that future operations will be more aggressive and uncompromising.