NAIMOS Taskforce Halts Galamsey Operations on COCOBOD Research Lands at Bunso

Galamsey: The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has shut down illegal mining activities on the COCOBOD Demonstration Farm, Section E, at Bunso in the Eastern Region, following a major enforcement operation conducted on January 8.

During the raid, the NAIMOS Taskforce discovered eight excavators and 12 illegal miners actively operating on the research land. The suspects were arrested and handed over to the Ghana Police Service to assist with investigations and prosecution.

The seized excavators have since been transported to the NAIMOS Equipment Base in Accra for safekeeping.

According to NAIMOS, the affected demonstration farm had previously been visited on two occasions in efforts to halt the illegal mining activities. However, the miners reportedly returned to the site barely a week after each intervention, prompting the latest decisive operation.

Crackdown Along the Ankobra River

In a related development, NAIMOS, in collaboration with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, launched a large-scale operation against galamsey activities along the Ankobra River on January 2, 2026.

The joint operation began in the Abelebo and Akango communities in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region. Upon sighting the Taskforce, an estimated 500 illegal miners reportedly fled the area, crossing the Ankobra River and retreating into nearby bushes and villages to evade arrest.

The Taskforce has since intensified pursuit efforts while destroying mining infrastructure linked to environmental degradation of the river.

Destruction of Equipment and Environmental Protection

As part of the operation, the joint Taskforce destroyed through burning approximately:

• 100 dredging chanfang platforms
• 50 water pumping machines
• Several makeshift structures used by the illegal miners

Additionally, multiple pipelines discharging mining residue directly into the Ankobra River were removed and destroyed to prevent further pollution.

The Taskforce also identified five excavators located in a mining pit about 150 metres from the river. These machines were immobilised by removing their control boards and monitors to render them inoperable.

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Ongoing Operations

NAIMOS has assured the public that it remains fully in control of the situation and is committed to sustaining operations until illegal mining activities are completely eradicated from the affected communities.

The Secretariat reaffirmed its resolve to protect critical national assets, including research lands and water bodies, from the destructive effects of galamsey.

Source: 3news