NAIMOS reports reduction in illegal mining machines on Tano River

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced a significant reduction in the prevalence of illegal mining equipment along the Tano River. The secretariat specifically noted a marked decline in the use of 'changfan' machines, which are typically used by illegal miners to extract gold directly from riverbeds. This progress is attributed to the sustained and rigorous enforcement operations carried out by the government as part of its ongoing campaign to halt environmental destruction in the region and restore the country's water resources. Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the spokesperson for NAIMOS, highlighted that the current successes are the direct result of continuous efforts to monitor and intervene in mining activities that threaten the country's water security. These illegal mining practices, popularly known as galamsey, have historically caused severe pollution in the Tano River, making the water unfit for domestic and agricultural use. By removing these machines and maintaining a consistent presence in the area, the secretariat aims to provide the river system with the opportunity to recover from years of ecological damage caused by siltation and chemical runoff. The reduction in mining activities on the Tano River is viewed as a major step toward the government's broader objective of restoring all polluted water bodies across Ghana to their natural state. NAIMOS has indicated that while the decline in 'changfan' operations is an encouraging sign of progress, the secretariat remains fully committed to its long-term strategy of environmental protection and surveillance. Future operations will continue to target illegal mining hubs to ensure that the progress made so far is not reversed and that the nation's natural resources are preserved for future generations.