The fight against illegal mining is taking a different turn, with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) moving beyond short-term raids to a sustained enforcement strategy aimed at keeping pressure on illegal miners and preventing them from returning to cleared areas.
The approach forms part of Operation WATER SHIELD, launched on Friday, September 11, 2026, to protect Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds and other critical water resources from illegal mining.
The operation is designed to maintain enforcement along priority river systems, from their source areas to downstream communities and water-treatment facilities.
Operation WATER SHIELD will focus on major rivers, including the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin, as well as affected sections of the Black and White Volta systems.
NAIMOS says priority will also be given to river source areas and upper catchments, where illegal mining activities can compromise water quality further downstream.
A key component of the operation will be the continuous monitoring of areas cleared during enforcement exercises to prevent illegal miners from returning. The operation will also restrict access to riverbanks and waterways and target individuals and groups that support or facilitate illegal mining, including those who provide or supply equipment used in such activities.
NAIMOS says the operation will be intelligence-led and conducted in collaboration with relevant security and state agencies, while supporting efforts to restore degraded water bodies and improve water quality.
The agency is also calling on traditional leaders, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, equipment owners, communities and the general public to support the initiative and provide credible information on illegal mining activities.
The sustained approach is expected to maintain pressure on illegal miners and help protect Ghana’s major river systems from further degradation.
STORY BY: CHORO MARY ADWOA OWUSUA
