Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah‑Kofi Buah declared that the Ankobra River has been cleared of thousands of Changfan machines and illegal mining operators after a year of persistent patrols. The announcement came on Thursday, September 3, 2026, after Buah joined the National Anti‑Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and Navy Special Forces on a 16‑kilometre patrol from Dominase to Gwira Banso in the Western Region.
The patrol followed the minister’s first inspection of the river in September 2025, when illegal mining activities were visibly ongoing along its banks. Buah said the recent sweep showed a marked improvement, with the previously seen Changfan machines and operators no longer present.
"It clearly shows that we are turning the corner. We are using more intelligence‑led operations. We are being very intentional about these operations, and the results are showing," the minister said. He noted concerns that pollution of the Ankobra River had worsened, but the patrol’s observations did not support that assessment. Buah stressed the need to sustain operations to consolidate gains and allow the river to fully recover.
Colonel K.S. Appiah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, said the Secretariat had intensified operations across the Western Region in recent months. "For the past two months, my 130‑man team has conducted special operations across six districts of the Western Region, with 19 operations conducted in August alone. Eleven of these operations were on the Ankobra River. We successfully cleared galamsey operators, destroyed several pieces of mining equipment and arrested several operators," he said.
Buah’s announcement comes as part of a broader effort to combat illegal mining and protect the region’s waterways. The Ministry will continue to monitor the river’s recovery and enforce stricter penalties against offenders.
