By Aaron Hammond 
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has issued a strong warning to small-scale miners operating in Ghana’s water bodies.
Its Director of Operations, Col. S.K. Appiah, told miners in Aowin that they should run when they see NAIMOS officers approaching if they are mining in rivers or other water bodies. He stressed that they should not waste time presenting documents to officers during such operations.
NAIMOS Sends Strong Warning to Illegal Miners
Speaking during a meeting in Aowin, Col. S.K. Appiah said: “If you’re mining in water bodies and you see us coming, run. Don’t bother showing us any documents, run.”
The statement sends a firm message to miners involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. It also highlights NAIMOS’s position on mining activities in water bodies, where illegal operations can threaten water quality and surrounding communities.
Galamsey Threatens Ghana’s Water Resources
Illegal mining remains a major environmental concern in Ghana. Mining in rivers can introduce harmful sediments and pollutants into water sources, making treatment more difficult and increasing pressure on communities that depend on them.
Ghana’s fight against galamsey therefore requires more than warnings and enforcement operations. Authorities must also protect water bodies, enforce mining laws and ensure that legitimate mining activities follow the required regulations.
Col. Appiah’s warning in Aowin adds to the ongoing public discussion about how Ghana can tackle illegal mining. However, sustained enforcement, public cooperation and accountability will remain important in protecting the country’s rivers and water resources.
The warning comes amid NAIMOS operations in the Western North Region, where the taskforce has been targeting illegal mining activities along the Tano River. On October 19, 2026, NAIMOS reported destroying 92 chanfang machines and arresting three suspected illegal miners during an operation at Asemkrom in the Aowin Municipality.
Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority has also directed individuals and businesses to stop unauthorised mining in and around water bodies under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124). The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources identifies NAIMOS as a special-purpose unit responsible for coordinating and leading operations against illegal mining.
For communities in Aowin and other mining areas, protecting rivers is not just an environmental issue. It affects access to clean water, farming and the livelihoods of future generations. The key question is whether sustained enforcement will stop illegal miners from returning after taskforce operations.