The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Blue Water Guards, has successfully dismantled what the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described as “criminal syndicates” operating within the Western Region.
According to the Minister, a coordinated 48-hour operation targeted the infrastructure of destruction across the Ankobra River, Tarkwa Nsuaem, and Wassa Akropong districts.
This crackdown effectively crippled illegal operations by seizing and destroying critical assets across multiple sites, including the destruction of over 80 chanfan machines and 50 makeshift boats on the Ankobra River and immmobilisation of heavy excavators and pumping equipment.
Several foreign operators were arrested during the exercise.
Minister Buah emphasised that the team’s swift actions halted immediate pollution to vital waterways and protected surrounding farmlands and ecosystems.
Additionally, the operation secured public infrastructure that had been threatened by dangerous encroachment from illegal mining activities.
To prevent the return of these syndicates, the Minister announced a shift toward permanent monitoring.
He stated:”NAIMOS is establishing a permanent, deterring presence in these hotspots to secure our gains and ensure these critical resources are permanently protected for the future of Ghana.”
Below is the full statement by the Minister
The tide is turning in our relentless fight against illegal mining as the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Blue Water Guards, delivers a decisive blow to criminal syndicates in the Western Region.
This past weekend, our coordinated 48-hour crackdown successfully dismantled the infrastructure of destruction across the Ankobra River and the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Wassa Akropong districts, crippling their operations and seizing critical assets across multiple sites.
Through targeted raids, we destroyed over 80 chanfan machines and 50 makeshift boats on the Ankobra River, arrested foreign operators, and immobilized excavators and pumping equipment at illegal land sites.
We have halted immediate pollution to waterways, safeguarded surrounding farmlands and ecosystems, and secured public infrastructure from dangerous encroachment.
NAIMOS is establishing a permanent, deterring presence in these hotspots to secure our gains and ensure these critical resources are permanently protected for the future of Ghana.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
