The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, despite logistical challenges involved in removing mining equipment from rivers.
Colonel K.S. Appiah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, described the anti-galamsey campaign as a marathon that requires sustained enforcement to dismantle illegal mining infrastructure and protect the country’s water bodies from further environmental destruction.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Col. Appiah stressed that abandoning enforcement operations would allow illegal mining equipment and structures to continue damaging rivers and surrounding ecosystems.
NAIMOS Explains Challenges in Removing Changfan Machines
Col. Appiah explained that removing heavy mining equipment, including changfan machines and makeshift platforms, from rivers is difficult because of their size, weight and the poor road access to some illegal mining sites.
He said task force personnel sometimes have to dismantle or destroy the structures because trucks and other heavy vehicles cannot reach the affected locations.
According to him, NAIMOS is working with the Ghana Ship Development Company (GSDC) to support the removal of equipment from river bodies where specialised lifting capabilities are required.
Despite these operational difficulties, the secretariat says it remains determined to eliminate illegal mining infrastructure from Ghana’s waterways.
Ghana Intensifies Efforts to Protect Rivers From Galamsey
The continued presence of illegal mining equipment in rivers poses serious environmental risks, including water pollution, damage to aquatic ecosystems and increased pressure on Ghana’s water resources.
NAIMOS has therefore pledged to sustain its operations and strengthen collaboration with relevant agencies to prevent illegal miners from continuing activities along river corridors.
The secretariat maintains that consistent enforcement, improved logistics and coordinated efforts are essential to reducing galamsey and supporting the long-term protection of Ghana’s rivers.
Source: newsthemegh.com