The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has expressed satisfaction with progress made in the fight against illegal mining following a working visit to the Ankobra River in the Western Region.
The visit was to assess the impact of the joint Operation Watershed, being carried out by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Navy Special Forces after months of deployment to the region.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said the transformation of the Ankobra was significant, particularly when compared to the situation on the river a year ago, when illegal mining activities and changfan machines were widespread.
According to the Minister, the operation has so far resulted in the removal of nearly 3,000 changfan machines from the Ankobra, Offin and other targeted water bodies.
He also disclosed that more than 237 arrests had been made, including 144 foreign nationals.
“Today, I can tell you that through all the mileage we’ve covered, the Ankobra is completely cleared of changfan machines, cleared of other makeshift equipment,” he said.
The Minister attributed the progress to what he described as a deliberate shift from sporadic raids to permanent and intelligence-led deployments.
He said the presence of heavily armed groups that previously operated along the Ankobra and confronted security personnel had also significantly reduced.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah, however, acknowledged that the river is not yet at the desired stage.
“We have not gotten to that point where we want to see the river become blue, but I think we’ve made great progress in clearing all the changfan machines,” he said.
He commended NAIMOS Commander Col. Kwame Sam Appiah, the Navy Special Forces and other personnel involved in Operation Watershed, saying their efforts are producing visible results.
The Minister also said President John Dramani Mahama remained committed to the campaign and was closely interested in the progress of the operation.
While celebrating the gains made on the river, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah warned that the government would not stop at removing illegal mining equipment.
He said the next phase would focus on identifying the individuals and networks financing illegal mining operations.
“The machines we’ve destroyed, the excavators we’ve seized—those behind them are powerful forces that are hiding in the dark,” he said.
The Minister pledged that government would continue efforts to identify and prosecute the sponsors and financiers behind illegal mining.
He further stressed the need for integrity among personnel involved in the campaign, saying the fight must not be compromised.
Commander of NAIMOS, Col. Kwame Sam Appiah, assured Ghanaians that Operation Watershed would be sustained until the targeted water bodies are cleared of illegal mining activities.
He said the operation began on the Birim River at the end of July, before moving to the Ankobra.
According to him, the operation is expected to extend to the Tano and Offin rivers before the end of the year.
“We are going to sustain these operations. I’d like to assure Ghanaians that we’ll do what we must to ensure that our water bodies are clear,” Col. Appiah said.
He said personnel were highly motivated and would work with the Blue Water Guards and the Special Boat Squadron to achieve the mandate.
Giving details of the Ankobra operation, Col. Appiah said the team started from Dominase and moved northwards, covering approximately 16 kilometres of the river.
He said the team also inspected areas that had already been cleared of illegal mining equipment.
However, the operation has uncovered another challenge—mining activities taking place away from the riverbanks but still affecting the water body.
Col. Appiah explained that some operators create tunnels from mining sites far from the river, with the activities eventually impacting the river.
He warned that even operators with legitimate mining licences would not be allowed to continue if their activities are found to be damaging water bodies.
“We are not going to allow these people who may have legitimate licences, but are affecting the water body, to continue operating. We will go all out and shut all those mining places down,” he said.
Beyond enforcement, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister said government is also working to move young people away from illegal mining into cooperative and responsible small-scale mining.
He said training and capacity-building programmes are being used to demonstrate that gold could be mined without destroying rivers, forests and other critical natural resources.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah maintained that the progress recorded on the Ankobra demonstrates that sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and alternative livelihood interventions can make a difference in the fight against illegal mining.
He nevertheless acknowledged that the task ahead remains difficult but pledged that government would not relent until the country’s water bodies are adequately protected.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
