By Nadia Ntiamoah
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has declared an immediate and comprehensive ban on the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of “Changfan” machines across Ghana, in a decisive move to protect the country’s water bodies and ecosystems from further destruction caused by illegal mining activities, popularly known as “galamsey.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Authority explained that the widespread use of Changfan machines—locally assembled floating dredgers used in riverbed mining—has been one of the major sources of pollution, siltation, and habitat loss in the major rivers.
The machines, which are often operated without authorization, have turned once-clear rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Brim and Offin into muddy streams filled with toxic residue from unregulated gold extraction.
According to the EPA, investigations have revealed that the fabrication of these machines is being undertaken without the necessary environmental permits or authorisation, constituting a clear breach of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
“While the manufacturing and sale of these machines have served as a source of livelihood for some artisans, their contribution to environmental degradation, particularly in river mining, cannot be overlooked,” the statement read.
“They have caused extensive pollution of water bodies, siltation of riverbeds, and destruction of aquatic life.”
Directive and Enforcement Measures
The Authority, acting under Sections 3(2)(b) and 35 of Act 1124, has therefore directed that no individual or entity shall fabricate, import, or use a Changfan machine without an EPA permit.
Any workshops or shops caught producing, selling, or assembling such machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be confiscated and dismantled.
“All individuals, workshops, and establishments engaged in the fabrication, importation, sale, or distribution of Changfan machines are to cease operations with immediate effect,” the EPA warned.
The statement further cautioned miners operating in rivers and other water bodies to halt their activities immediately, emphasizing that such acts violate national environmental and mining laws.
The Authority indicated that enforcement operations—undertaken in collaboration with security agencies—will soon commence to ensure compliance through inspections, seizures, and prosecution of offenders.
Background
This latest directive follows a series of government interventions aimed at combating illegal mining, which continues to threaten the environment, water security, and agricultural livelihoods.
In 2017, a similar crackdown was launched under the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), resulting in temporary relief for some river systems.
However, illegal operations have since resurged, with Changfan operators returning to rivers under cover of night or in remote forest areas.
The EPA’s move also aligns with President John Mahama’s renewed pledge to restore the degraded landscapes under the National Environmental Action Plan, launched earlier this year.
Environmental groups, including A Rocha Ghana and Friends of the Earth, have long called for stronger enforcement against Changfan use, describing the machines as “river killers” that render water bodies unfit for domestic use.
Public Advisory
The Authority has encouraged members of the public to report workshops or individuals engaged in the illegal fabrication or sale of Changfan machines.
