The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched a crackdown on illegal mining activities along the River Pra in Ghana's Ashanti Region. As part of Operation Water Shield, the team seized 10 excavators and destroyed several pumping machines. The operation aims to protect Ghana's major water bodies from environmental damage caused by illegal mining. NAIMOS was deployed to the area to identify and shut down illegal mining activities, particularly around the Ashanti-Central regional boundary.
The operation uncovered extensive mining activities at Adiemra and Tweapease near New Edubiase. Parts of the river were reportedly diverted, heavily silted, and polluted by mining activities. At Subriso, the team halted mining activity affecting wetlands close to the road. The team then moved to Adiemra and Tweapease, where they encountered mining operations being carried out close to the Pra. The river was being used in the processing of mined material, and mining activities surrounded farmlands in the area.
Farmers in the affected communities raised concerns about the impact of illegal mining on their livelihoods. The team subsequently shut down an operation at Adiemra and arrested a man who claimed the site belonged to Alhaji Shaibu Iddi. However, officials said the documents presented by the suspect did not authorise the mining activities at the location. The documents related to processes involving different companies and locations. A man identified as Evans Badamawu, who described himself as the site manager for Alhaji Shaibu Iddi, was also questioned during the operation.
The operation found pumping machines positioned directly inside the River Pra at another site in Adiemra. The site was among several mining operations captured during aerial surveillance of the area. The team said the activities were taking place within areas where mining is restricted around major water bodies. The operation comes amid concerns over the continued degradation of Ghana's rivers and forests through illegal mining.
At Tweapease, the extent of the mining activities was even more apparent. Sections of the Pra had been heavily silted and polluted, while mining activities had altered the course of the river. Mining waste was also found entering the waterway from several points. The condition of the river made it difficult to distinguish some sections of the waterway from the surrounding mining landscape when viewed from above.
NAIMOS subsequently moved to shut down the operations, destroying several pumping machines and seizing 10 excavators from mining sites at Adiemra and Tweapease. Some of the miners arrested during the operation were visibly distressed as the taskforce dismantled the illegal activities. Some farmers in the affected communities welcomed the intervention, expressing hope that sustained enforcement could help restore the river and protect their farms.
NAIMOS says the operation will continue as Operation Water Shield enters its next phase. The taskforce is expected to sustain efforts to stop illegal mining activities along the Pra and other major water bodies. The latest operation forms part of broader efforts to protect Ghana's water resources from environmental damage associated with illegal mining.
Key points
- NAIMOS seized 10 excavators and destroyed several pumping machines during the operation.
- The operation aims to protect Ghana's major water bodies from environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
- The taskforce is expected to sustain efforts to stop illegal mining activities along the Pra and other major water bodies.
