The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force has carried out a major operation against illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River, as part of end-of-year enforcement actions to close out 2025.

The operation, conducted on 31 December, targeted several galamsey sites at Gwira Banso in the Evalue Gwira District of the Western and Western North Regions. Communities situated directly along the Ankobra River were the focus of the raid, following intelligence reports of persistent illegal mining on and around the river's banks.

Illegal miners fled upon sighting the NAIMOS team at the various locations. The operation aimed to flush out operators whose activities have continued to degrade the Ankobra River and its surrounding environment.

During the raid, the Taskforce destroyed several dredging platforms, including chanfang machines, pipelines, and water pumping equipment used to facilitate illegal mining.

In addition, multiple makeshift structures erected along the banks of the river to support galamsey operations were set ablaze.

The Ankobra River remains one of the most threatened water bodies due to illegal mining, prompting renewed enforcement efforts by the task force in the region.