Ghana extends river protection to two more water bodies

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Ghana will expand its river protection work to two additional water bodies by the end of 2026.

Colonel S.K. Appiah, NAIMOS Director of Operations, shared this plan during a media briefing, detailing operations from June 13 to September 30, 2026. NAIMOS currently protects the Birim and Ankobra rivers through Operation Water Shield and will add Operation Green Shield to focus on the Atiwa Forest Reserve, a protected area.

NAIMOS arrested hundreds of people suspected of illegal mining, commonly called "galamsey," and turned them over to police. The Secretariat also seized over 100 excavators, recording their identifying details to aid in legal efforts to permanently confiscate the equipment. To ensure long-term success, NAIMOS intends to stabilize cleared areas and then hand over monitoring duties to security agencies, the Forestry Commission, and local communities.

They are also improving information sharing with intelligence agencies and Blue Water Guards to maintain surveillance and prevent miners from returning.