Ghana’s National Anti Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has uncovered and dismantled an extensive network of illegal mining activities along the Pra River in the Eastern Region, in a major operation aimed at protecting the country’s water bodies.
In a statement dated Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, NAIMOS said the intelligence-led operation was carried out at about 9:30 a.m. in collaboration with the Akyem-Oda Blue Water Guards. The joint task force targeted illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, operating between Ofoase Awona and Nsese villages along the Pra River.
According to NAIMOS, the operation was conducted under tight secrecy to verify reports of ongoing riverine mining and to destroy the infrastructure responsible for severe pollution of the Pra River, which has led to the shutdown of some water treatment plants.
Task force personnel began the operation from Akyem Ofoase Awona in the Akyemansa District, trekking about 14 kilometres on foot through cocoa plantations to reach the river’s home bank. Upon arrival, officers encountered about 50 illegal miners actively operating on the river.
The miners reportedly fled on sight of the task force, abandoning their equipment and swimming across the river toward Nsese village to evade arrest.
The joint team subsequently dismantled and destroyed equipment found at the site. NAIMOS said 75 dredging Changfang platforms and 50 gold-washing platforms were destroyed, while 150 Changfang machines found on the riverbed were burnt. Several pipelines and water hoses connected directly to the river and used in the mining operations were also destroyed.
Following the raid, the task force engaged local residents to sensitise them on the environmental, health and livelihood risks associated with illegal mining. NAIMOS said community members welcomed the intervention and appealed for sustained operations to help restore the polluted water bodies and protect their livelihoods.
NAIMOS warned that the persistence of entrenched illegal mining networks in remote communities, often operating with impunity despite existing security and administrative structures, raises serious national security concerns.
The Secretariat called for a review and strengthening of security and administrative arrangements in such areas to deter organised criminal activity and safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.