The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its war on illegal mining with a decisive riverine operation targeting notorious galamsey zones along the Ankobra River, including Cocoa Ase and Gwira Eshiem, in the Nzema East Municipality.
On Monday, 2 March 2026, the NAIMOS task force, in collaboration with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, embarked on extensive patrols covering an estimated 18-kilometre stretch of the river. The operation began at Abrodiem, passed through Akitipo, Tomefa, Krobo Line, Gwira Banso, and Ambansie, and ended at Duelle in the Nzema East Municipality.
The sudden arrival of the joint task force caused illegal miners to flee, abandoning their dredging equipment and makeshift camps. NAIMOS operatives dismantled and destroyed critical mining infrastructure, including over 100 dredging chanfan platforms, 50 gold-washing setups, and approximately 200 chanfan machines, through controlled burning. Several wooden structures serving as illegal shelters were also set ablaze.
Cocoa Ase and Gwira Eshiem: Hotspots Exposed
At Cocoa Ase in Gwira Eshiem, the operation revealed a direct assault on the Ankobra River’s ecosystem. Investigations uncovered several pipe hoses channeling water into the river from an upstream illegal pit. The task force destroyed five (5) water-pumping machines, seven (7) chanfan machines, and several hoses. In addition, 15 makeshift camps and a generator were seized or burned.
During a search of the abandoned camps, the team discovered a cache of weapons and valuables including two pump-action guns, one sidearm, a gold detector, three weighing scales, and GH₵150,570.00 in cash. All items were documented and handed over to the Western Regional NAIMOS office for further investigation.
Sustained Efforts to Protect the River
The operation marks a major escalation in NAIMOS’ riverine enforcement campaign. For years, illegal miners have exploited remote stretches of the Ankobra River to evade authorities, causing severe environmental destruction and threatening the livelihoods of communities downstream.
The Director of Operations reaffirmed that sustained patrols and follow-up surveillance would continue along the Ankobra basin to prevent re-entry by illegal operators. He further urged local security agencies to maintain vigilance in reclaimed areas to ensure that miners do not reoccupy forest reserves and water bodies.
By combining intelligence-led operations with coordinated river patrols alongside the Blue Water Guards, NAIMOS aims to tighten control over illegal mining and restore Ghana’s degraded water bodies.
The operation concluded successfully with no casualties recorded, marking another significant milestone in the national campaign to safeguard the environment and local communities from the destructive effects of galamsey.
