The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has apprehended 13 suspected illegal miners during an operation on the Offin River at Subin Akwaaboso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region. This was part of NAIMOS's intensified nationwide anti-galamsey campaign. The operation was led by the Central Regional team, along with NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel K. S. Appiah, and officers from the Secretariat's headquarters.
The operation uncovered a large illegal mining site on the Offin River, with several chanfang machines installed, causing severe pollution and environmental degradation. Chanfang machines are floating dredging platforms commonly used in riverine illegal mining, disturbing riverbeds and discharging pollutants into water bodies. The task force dismantled the equipment and apprehended the suspects, despite a gunfire attack by some residents of Subin Akwaaboso.
The exercise turned violent when some residents allegedly mobilized on motorbikes, wielded firearms, and opened fire on the NAIMOS team. Despite the gunfire, the task force stood its ground, and personnel, including military officers, were forced to swim and wade through the heavily polluted river to apprehend the suspects. Colonel Appiah stated that the team deployed specific strategies to contain the situation after some miners attempted to retaliate with firearms.
The Offin River raid is part of Operation Water Shield, a sustained, intelligence-led enforcement campaign launched by NAIMOS in September 2026. The operation aims to protect Ghana's major rivers, watersheds, and critical water resources from illegal mining. The campaign targets priority water bodies, including the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, and Offin rivers.
NAIMOS's objective is to remove floating chanfang platforms from rivers, restrict miners' access to waterways, and prevent operators from relocating to other sections after enforcement teams leave. The Secretariat also targets financiers, facilitators, unauthorized manufacturers of chanfang machines, and suppliers of excavators, pumps, and other equipment used in illegal mining.
This is not the first operation on the Offin River; NAIMOS reported progress in its operations along the Bedaabour–Beposo stretch of the river. In that operation, the task force raided six illegal mining sites, destroyed four floating chanfang platforms, and discovered about 45 additional abandoned platforms. The Secretariat warned that abandoning equipment would not end enforcement.
The 13 suspects arrested at Subin Akwaaboso are currently in custody and are expected to be processed for prosecution. All chanfang machines found on the river have been destroyed. Colonel Appiah reiterated NAIMOS's commitment to executing its mandate with professionalism and firmness, stressing that protecting the country's water bodies and natural resources remains a top priority.
Key points
- 13 suspected illegal miners were arrested on the Offin River in Ghana's Central Region.
- The arrests were made during an operation by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as part of its intensified nationwide anti-galamsey campaign.
- The operation was part of NAIMOS's sustained enforcement campaign, Operation Water Shield, launched in September 2026 to protect Ghana's major rivers and water resources.
