Omanghana
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) says it has removed all motorized dredging machines, commonly known as changfans, from the Ankobra River under its ongoing Operation Water Shield.
Speaking to JoyNews on Friday, October 23, 2026, NAIMOS spokesperson Paa Kwesi Schandorf described the clearance as a significant step towards addressing the damage caused by illegal mining along the river.
According to Schandorf, thousands of changfan machines had previously operated on the waterway. He said recent enforcement operations had cleared the river of the equipment, halting a major source of disturbance and pollution.
He stressed that stopping destructive activities must come before assessing the river’s recovery.
“Before healing would commence… we have to look at whether the bleeding has stopped or not,” he said.
To prevent illegal miners from returning, Schandorf said NAIMOS had established 13 permanent operational deployments at major mining flashpoints across the country. These include a unit stationed near the Ankobra River to maintain surveillance and deter renewed activity.
The continued presence of personnel is intended to protect the gains made during the clearance and prevent dredging equipment from being reintroduced.
The removal of the machines is expected to create conditions for the river’s gradual recovery. However, the reported clearance does not establish that water quality has already been restored.
Source: Omanghana
