The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced plans to extend its river protection operations to two additional major water bodies before the end of 2026 as Ghana steps up efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Colonel S.K. Appiah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, disclosed the plan during the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Progress Series media briefing, where he outlined the Secretariat’s achievements between June 13 and September 30, 2026, and its plans for the next phase of enforcement.

The expansion is expected to strengthen efforts to protect Ghana’s rivers from illegal mining activities, which can damage riverbeds, destroy surrounding ecosystems and threaten water quality.

NAIMOS Plans to Target Two More Rivers

According to Colonel Appiah, the Secretariat intends to extend its river protection operations to two additional water bodies before the end of the year.

The planned expansion forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal mining activities and prevent operators from returning to areas that have already been cleared by enforcement teams.

However, the names of the two rivers were not specified in the information provided.

The operation is expected to build on NAIMOS’ existing interventions, with a focus on strengthening monitoring and maintaining security in areas affected by illegal mining.

Operation Water Shield at the Centre of River Protection

NAIMOS has been using Operation Water Shield to support efforts to protect vulnerable water bodies from illegal mining.

The initiative focuses on enforcement activities along affected rivers, including patrols and interventions intended to prevent illegal miners from continuing operations.

Protecting rivers is important because mining activities conducted without proper environmental safeguards can contribute to pollution, sedimentation and the destruction of aquatic habitats.

Illegal mining can also increase the cost and difficulty of treating water for domestic use, creating challenges for communities and water service providers.

NAIMOS Reviews Its Enforcement Achievements

During the media briefing, Colonel Appiah also reviewed the Secretariat’s operational activities between June 13 and September 30, 2026.

The briefing provided an opportunity for the Secretariat to account for its activities and outline the measures being considered to strengthen future operations.

The next phase is expected to focus on extending river protection efforts while sustaining enforcement in areas already targeted.

Maintaining a presence in these locations is important because the removal of illegal mining equipment alone may not prevent activities from resuming after enforcement teams withdraw.

Sustained Action Needed to Protect Water Bodies

The planned expansion comes amid continuing concerns about the environmental effects of illegal mining in Ghana.

Rivers are important sources of water for households, agriculture and other economic activities. Protecting them requires consistent enforcement, environmental monitoring and cooperation among the relevant institutions and local communities.

The success of the planned operations will depend not only on removing illegal mining activities but also on preventing their return and supporting the recovery of affected water bodies.

As NAIMOS prepares to extend its operations to two more rivers, further details about the selected water bodies and the implementation timeline are expected to clarify the next phase of the intervention.

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