The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, has conducted a major enforcement operation against illegal mining activities at Subin-Akwaboso in the Upper Denkyira West municipality of the Central region and along sections of the River Offin.
The operation took place between September 7 and 13, 2026. According to the Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Lt. Col. K. S. Appiah, the exercise followed weeks of reconnaissance and intelligence gathering that identified active illegal mining sites within the township, along roadsides, and on the banks and tributaries of the River Offin.
During the operation, the joint task force targeted several identified sites, seizing 15 excavators at Subin-Akwaboso and destroying several chanfang machines and makeshift structures used to support illegal mining activities.
The Task Force then extended the operation to Dunkwa-On-Offin, where it targeted additional illegal mining sites, destroyed several more chanfang machines and makeshift structures, and seized two additional excavators.
Lt. Col. Appiah stated that all seized equipment has been moved to a secure military holding facility in the Ashanti Region, pending further investigations and administrative action.
He noted that the operation forms part of NAIMOS’ sustained efforts to protect the River Offin and its tributaries, disrupt illegal mining along critical water bodies, and prevent further environmental degradation.
He added that NAIMOS will continue targeted patrols and follow-up operations in the area to prevent the return of illegal miners and to strengthen monitoring and enforcement along the River Offin corridor.
Lt. Col. Appiah further emphasized the importance of properly reclaiming and restoring degraded mining sites as part of efforts to protect water resources and surrounding communities, adding that in the coming days the enforcement team will engage persons suspected to be involved in illegal mining to ensure proper reclamation of affected sites.
NAIMOS launches ‘Operation Water Shield’ to protect Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin rivers
By Timothy Kwame Kakraba Gaison
