Ghana Task Force Stops Illegal River Mining, Arrests 7
A specialized anti-mining team in Ghana dismantled an illegal operation polluting the Ankobrah River, apprehending seven miners and destroying equipment to protect the critical water source. The country is now deploying permanent field officers to high-risk areas to prevent future damage.
Ghana's anti-illegal mining task force scored a major win for clean water this week, shutting down a destructive operation that was poisoning the Ankobrah River.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) launched a nighttime raid on January 14 at an illegal mining camp in the Western Region's Amenfi Central District. Acting on intelligence reports, officers arrived around 8:30 PM to find active mining operations directly on the riverbank, where pollution had already contaminated the water upstream.
Seven suspected illegal miners were arrested at the site, ranging in age from 15 to 40. Officers seized nine water pumping machines, mining equipment, and mobile phones used in the operation.
The team didn't stop at arrests. They dismantled every makeshift structure at the camp and destroyed all equipment on site to prevent miners from returning to continue the damage.
The Ripple Effect
This operation represents more than one successful raid. NAIMOS announced plans to permanently station field officers in high-risk illegal mining areas across Ghana, dramatically cutting response times when new operations pop up.
The forward deployment strategy means faster action to protect water bodies and forest reserves before significant damage occurs. Both daytime and nighttime enforcement patrols will increase across affected districts, keeping constant pressure on illegal mining networks.
Ghana's water bodies have suffered severe pollution from unauthorized mining operations, threatening drinking water supplies and ecosystems that communities depend on. The Ankobrah River serves populations downstream who rely on it for daily needs.
The arrested suspects were transferred to local police for investigation and prosecution. The seized pumping machines went to NAIMOS headquarters in Accra for processing according to established procedures.
The permanent officer deployment marks a shift from reactive raids to proactive protection, giving Ghana's rivers and forests a fighting chance against illegal mining damage.
Communities downstream from the Ankobrah can now access cleaner water as the river begins recovering from upstream pollution.
Based on reporting by Myjoyonline Ghana
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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