The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force, on Monday, October 13, 2025, conducted a major operation targeting illegal mining sites in the Eastern Region.
The operation focused on two key areas: Oda Nkwanta in the Birim Central Municipality and Akanteng Asamankese.
First Stop: Oda Nkwanta
Acting on intelligence from an informant, the task force’s first point of contact was Oda Nkwanta, where three excavators were found operating at an illegal mining site.
Upon the team’s arrival, the miners fled, leaving behind personal belongings, two excavators on-site, and one hidden in nearby bushes.
Their illegal activities had caused severe damage to cocoa farms and led to the blockage of a river that, according to local sources, flows directly into the River Birim.
Excavators immobilised and items set ablaze
Two of the three excavators were immobilised by removing two monitors and one control board, while the third excavator had already been stripped of both parts.
The team also set fire to personal belongings, water hoses, and a heavy-duty water pumping machine found at the site.
In total, the following items were confiscated:
- 5 motorbikes
- 4 excavator batteries
- 5 monitors
Second Operation: Akanteng Kyebi Area
Based on further intelligence, the task force proceeded toward Akanteng Kyebi. On their way, they spotted two excavators working a few kilometres from the main road leading to Oda township. When the team approached, the miners fled once again, abandoning their machines.
One of the excavators was immobilised by removing the control board, while the other had no monitor or control board.
The site was located just a few meters from the main Brim River, and their activities had resulted in pollution of water bodies, forest destruction, and loss of vegetation.
Several shelters and personal belongings were destroyed and set ablaze.
Discoveries Along the Kyebi–Asamankese Route
As the task force advanced toward Kyebi Akanteng in Asamankese, several illegal mining activities were observed along the roadside.
Multiple excavators were parked at different sites, but many had already been disabled by the illegal miners, who had removed their control boards and monitors after learning of the task force’s presence.
Six Excavators Found Hidden in Bushes
Upon reaching Akanteng Asamankese, the task force located two illegal mining sites with six excavators hidden in the surrounding bushes. Of the six, only two still had their monitors intact — both were immobilised.
The remaining four had been stripped of their control components. Residents reported that the miners’ operations had polluted nearby streams and water bodies, including one that flows directly into the River Birim.
Community and Environmental Concerns
The rampant nature of illegal mining in the Eastern Region has become alarming. The destruction of farmlands, forests, and vital water bodies calls for urgent and sustained intervention.
Experts and observers suggest that clandestine or surprise operations may be necessary to effectively disrupt the illegal miners’ activities.
Additionally, there have been calls for stronger punitive measures against those mining along the River Birim, by the roadside, or within forest reserves. Such measures would serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar acts.
Call for Logistics Support
The operation revealed the need for low-bed trucks to transport seized excavators to secure holding areas. This logistical support would greatly enhance NAIMOS’s ability to reduce the number of illegal machines still operating in the region.
The NAIMOS task force continues to reaffirm its commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources, ensuring that illegal mining (galamsey) activities are brought to an end across the country.
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