The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Eastern Regional National Security Secretariat, has dismantled a well-entrenched illegal mining network operating along the Pra River, destroying 275 pieces of equipment in a major intelligence-led operation.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., targeting illegal mining activities directly on the Pra River between Ofoase Awona and Nsese in the Eastern Region.
The joint task force, comprising personnel from NAIMOS, National Security, and the Akyem Oda Blue Water Guards—began the operation at Akyem Ofoase Awona in the Akyemansa District, trekking approximately 14 kilometres on foot through cocoa farms to access the riverbank.
Upon arrival, the task force encountered about 50 illegal miners actively operating on the river. On sighting the officers, the miners abandoned their equipment and swam across the Pra River towards Nsese Village to evade arrest.
Following their escape, the task force dismantled and destroyed all mining infrastructure found at the site. In total, 275 items of illegal mining equipment were destroyed, including:
- 75 dredging Changfang platforms
- 50 gold-washing platforms
- 150 Changfang machines, burned on the riverbed
- Several pipelines and water hoses connected directly to the Pra River
Beyond enforcement, the task force engaged residents of nearby communities, educating them on the environmental, health, and livelihood risks associated with illegal mining.
Community members welcomed the clampdown and called for sustained operations to help restore polluted water bodies and protect farming activities.
The Eastern Regional National Security Liaison Officer, Francis Annoh-Dompreh, described the operation as highly successful and urged communities to provide accurate and timely intelligence to support ongoing efforts to safeguard rivers and agricultural lands from illegal mining.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
