ASSIN FOSU, Central Region – Under the cloak of pre-dawn darkness, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) launched another ruthless assault against illegal miners, this time in the heart of the Central Region.
The operation, which unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, 17th June 2025, targeted the notorious galamsey hotspots of Ayittey, Agave, Assin Asempaneye, and Ntowkrom—towns where the once-lush landscapes have been reduced to wastelands by the unrelenting scourge of illegal mining.
Acting on intelligence, the task force departed Accra at 0300hrs to the Assin North municipality. There, they joined forces with four NADMO officials, who guided them through the treacherous terrain where illegal miners operated with brazen impunity.
They found a scene of devastation: excavators gnawing at the earth, makeshift camps littering riverbanks, and the Pra River—once a lifeline for communities—now choked with toxic sludge from mineral washing. The miners, caught off guard, fled in panic, some plunging into the polluted waters in desperate bids to escape.
• Five (5) excavators were seized and handed over to the Assin North District Assembly.
• Three (3) more excavators, too entrenched to be moved, were immobilised on the spot to prevent further use.
• Makeshift mining camps were demolished, and critical equipment—including generators, pumping machines, and Chanfan machines — were also destroyed.
• An ID card belonging to one Mr. Cobinah Timothy was recovered, potentially a crucial lead in tracking down key financiers and other operatives in the value chain
By the time the team returned to Accra at 0300hrs on Wednesday, 18th June, they had delivered a crushing blow to the galamsey network in the region. Yet, the scars left behind told a grimmer story.
River Pra: A Waterway Under Siege
The Pra River, one of Ghana’s most vital waterways, has suffered immensely from the unchecked pollution of illegal miners. Once a source of drinking water, irrigation, and fishing for countless communities, it now runs murky with chemicals and sediment—a silent victim of environmental plunder.
“Look at what they’ve done to our river,” lamented a resident who spoke anonymously. “Our children can no longer drink from it. Our crops are dying. If this continues, we will have nothing left.”
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP) has reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance against illegal mining, vowing that operations will intensify until the galamsey menace is eradicated.
While this operation marks another victory, the war is far from over. Galamsey operators are adaptive, often returning within days of raids. The demand for gold and economic desperation fuels this illicit trade, making enforcement a relentless challenge.
Yet, with every seized excavator, every demolished camp, and every disrupted operation, the task force sends an unmistakable message: Ghana’s land and water are not for sale, and one thing is certain — the fight is far from over!
source:www.senaradioonline.com
