Operation Water Shield

2026-09-042026-10-31

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Operation Water Shield

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

September 2026
4 SeptThe Chronicle
… The Minister made the declaration yesterday after joining personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and Special Forces on a 16-kilometre inspection tour of the Ankobra River, under the second phase of Operation Water Shield, a renewed effort to …
We Are Winning The Galamsey War … Armah-Kofi Buah Declares
4 SeptJoy Online
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, says the government is making significant progress in its fight against illegal mining, following sustained operations under Operation Water Shield. …
Lands Minister inspects Ankobra, cites progress in galamsey fight

Society

NAIMOS reports significant reduction in illegal mining equipment on River Tano

The News

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat says the number of changfan machines operating on River Tano has reduced significantly following its Operation Water Shield campaign against illegal mining. NAIMOS cautioned that the reduction in equipment does not mean the river has already been restored to its original condition, and stated it would maintain surveillance on the Tano and other critical water sources.

4 hours ago · Joy Online →

Yesterday

NAIMOS reports significant reduction in illegal mining equipment on River Tano
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat says the number of changfan machines operating on River Tano has reduced significantly following its Operation Water Shield campaign against illegal mining. NAIMOS cautioned that the reduction in equipment does not mean the river has already been restored to its original condition, and stated it would maintain surveillance on the Tano and other critical water sources.
4 hours ago · Joy Online →

Monday 26 October

NAIMOS seizes 22 Chanfang machines targeting galamsey supply
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has expanded enforcement beyond mining sites to target suppliers of illegal mining equipment. During an Eshaem operation in the Western Region, the Task Force destroyed 28 chanfang machines, 19 water pumps, and five structures at illegal mining sites, and seized a truck carrying 22 brand-new Chanfang machines being delivered to a store.
26 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 23 October

NAIMOS to expand river protection operations before 2026 year-end
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat plans to extend its river protection operations to two more major water bodies by the end of 2026. Operation Water Shield on the River Birim and Ankobra will be complemented by Operation Green Shield targeting illegal mining in the Atiwa Forest Reserve, supported by sustained patrols and a planned dedicated riverine unit with the Ghana Navy.
23 October 2026 · Joy Online →
NAIMOS intensifies fight against galamsey with machine seizures
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat reports seizing over 100 excavators and 551 water pumps, and destroying approximately 1,970 chanfang machines between June 13 and September 30 this year. The article emphasizes that lasting success must be measured by whether rivers become cleaner, forest reserves remain protected, and communities can safely depend on natural resources rather than by machines seized or arrests made.
23 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Wednesday 21 October

NAIMOS destroys 92 chanfang machines on Tano River
Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat destroyed 92 chanfang machines during two operations on the Tano River at Asemkrom in the Aowin District between October 15 and 18, recovering water pumps and generators and arresting three suspected operators. NAIMOS noted that illegal miners have repeatedly returned to cleared sites, highlighting the need for sustained patrols.
21 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 20 October

Forestry Commission burns 1,103 changfan machines in illegal mining crackdown
The Forestry Commission destroyed 1,103 Changfan dredging machines and 1,420 pumping machines in operations against illegal miners in seven Western Region forest reserves between January and September 2026, also arresting 159 suspected illegal miners. The destruction of changfan machines alone was estimated to cost operators about GH¢28 million.
20 October 2026 · The Chronicle →

Tuesday 6 October

NAIMOS conducts second sweep against illegal miners on Pra River
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified operations along the Pra River, with a second sweep at Tweapease and Adiemra uncovering illegal miners attempting to replace Changfan machines destroyed in an earlier raid. The operation highlights the persistent challenge of sustaining enforcement gains against illegal mining.
6 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 2 October

NAIMOS seizes 10 excavators in raid on River Pra illegal mining
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat seized 10 excavators and destroyed pumping machines during Operation Water Shield, targeting illegal mining along the River Pra in Adansi South District, Ashanti Region. The operation found mining activities diverting and polluting the river, with one suspect arrested claiming the site had necessary licences, though officials said the documents did not authorise the operation.
2 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 17 September

NAIMOS launches sustained campaign against illegal mining in rivers
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat has launched Operation Water Shield, a sustained national enforcement campaign to protect major river systems including the Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin rivers, as well as affected sections of the Black and White Volta, from illegal mining.
17 September 2026 · Daily Guide →

Friday 11 September

NAIMOS launches Operation Water Shield against illegal mining
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched Operation WATER SHIELD, a sustained national enforcement campaign to protect Ghana's major rivers, watersheds and water resources from illegal mining. The operation will target the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin Rivers, as well as affected sections of the Black and White Volta systems, working from source areas through downstream communities.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 4 September

Ghana winning illegal mining war, says Lands Minister
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has declared that Ghana is winning the fight against galamsey, citing the Ankobra River's transformation as evidence. Operation Water Shield's second phase has removed nearly 3,000 mining machines from the Ankobra, Pra, Birim and other rivers, and resulted in more than 237 arrests, including 144 foreign nationals.
4 September 2026 · The Chronicle →
Lands Minister reports 3,000 illegal mining machines removed
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources says the government has removed more than 3,000 illegal mining machines from major river bodies and arrested 237 suspects under Operation Water Shield. The Minister inspected the Ankobra River and attributed progress to a shift from sporadic raids to permanent security deployments.
4 September 2026 · Joy Online →