• Pra River Under Siege as 50 Galamsey Operators Flee Massive NAIMOS Crackdown
• 75 Dredgers Destroyed in Eastern Region as Authorities Move to Reclaim Polluted Pra River
• Communities Cheer as NAIMOS Dismantles Illegal Mining Empire Along the Pra River
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Akyem-Oda Blue Water Guards, has carried out a large-scale operation against illegal mining activities along the Pra River in the Eastern Region.
The joint task force stormed the area on February 3, targeting a heavily fortified galamsey enclave operating along the riverbanks. Upon sighting the security personnel, approximately 50 illegal miners fled the scene, abandoning their equipment and installations.
In the operation, the task force dismantled and destroyed 75 dredging platforms mounted on the river, 50 gold washing platforms positioned along the banks, and about 150 assorted mining machines. Several pipelines used to siphon and discharge polluted water directly into the Pra River were also removed.
Authorities described the scale of destruction as one of the most significant interventions in recent months, noting that the illegal activities had severely compromised water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The Pra River, a critical water source for several communities and treatment plants downstream, has been under sustained environmental stress due to unregulated small-scale mining.
Residents in the affected communities commended NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards for the decisive action. Many expressed concern over the long-term impact of galamsey on farming, fishing, and potable water supply, urging government to sustain enforcement efforts.
Beyond the enforcement action, officials engaged local residents in a public sensitization exercise, educating them on the environmental, economic, and public health risks associated with illegal mining. Community members were encouraged to support lawful mining practices and report suspicious activities to authorities.
NAIMOS reiterated its call for enhanced security presence along major water bodies, stressing the need for continuous surveillance and inter-agency coordination to safeguard Ghana’s rivers. The Secretariat also emphasized the broader objective of restoring degraded lands and protecting livelihoods dependent on clean and sustainable natural resources.
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