The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing fight against illegal mining, revealing that the Ankobra River has been successfully cleared of thousands of galamsey equipment, locally known as “changfans”. This major development comes as a result of sustained and intelligence-led patrols conducted under “Operation Watershed,” an initiative aimed at restoring the nation’s heavily polluted water bodies.
Speaking after a recent inspection and patrol of a 16-kilometre stretch of the Ankobra River in the Western Region, the Minister disclosed that the river, which was previously congested with makeshift mining equipment and illegal operators, is now clear and navigable. The intensive operation, coordinated by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) alongside Navy Special Forces and Blue Water Guards, has led to the removal and destruction of nearly 3,000 changfan machines from major river bodies. Furthermore, a total of 237 suspects, including foreign nationals, have been arrested in connection with these illegal activities.
Emphasizing the government’s renewed strategy, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah noted that security forces have shifted from sporadic raids to permanent, deliberate deployments to ensure the river is fully protected from armed mining syndicates. While acknowledging that the water has not yet returned to its natural state, the Minister expressed optimism about the progress made and reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to fighting illegal mining with strict integrity. The operations are expected to be extended to other critical water bodies, including the Tano and Offin rivers, as authorities continue to crack down on the powerful financiers backing these illicit activities.