By Daniel Bampoe
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its efforts to combat illegal mining along the Ankobrah River in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region, disrupting nighttime operations that have long threatened the area’s water resources.
The latest operation, carried out on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., targeted a well-known illegal mining camp at Ayiem Juabo along the riverbank.
Intelligence reports indicated that miners at the site had been causing significant pollution upstream, prompting NAIMOS field officers to intervene.
During the operation, seven suspected illegal miners were apprehended.
Those arrested included teenagers, Numbor Kwasi Musah (16) and Benja Nakura Abdul-Wahid (15), as well as adults Kombate Indabre (20), Mawuli Boni (29), Justice Mensah from Alavanyo (40), Bright Kwasi Nkrumah (35), and Kwabena Lambon (30).
Notably, Kombate Indabre was found with a Ghanaian ID card in a different name, which he denied owning.
Authorities recovered multiple items used in illicit mining activities, including nine water pumping machines, mining pans and trays, charms, and mobile phones.
All temporary structures within the camp were dismantled, and the equipment was destroyed to prevent further illegal operations at the site.
The arrested individuals were transferred to the Ayiem Juabo Police Station for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Seized machinery was transported to the NAIMOS headquarters in Accra for safekeeping and processing according to official procedures.
The Secretariat has announced plans to permanently station field officers in strategic locations to curb galamsey activities more effectively.
