On Thursday, 2026, the NAIMOS taskforce, currently on operations in the Western Region, commenced massive raids of galamsey sites within the Ahanta West Municipality.

At about 0730 hrs, the taskforce raided an illegal mining site at Agonakrom within the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly. The miners were observed mining in a stream which flows into the Hwin River. The taskforce burnt several pumps and pipelines in and along the stream.

At about 0925 hrs, the task force raided an illegal mining site popularly christened “Agenda 111” within Mpohor and its environs. The site is located approximately 200m from a site allocated to build a hospital under the Agenda 111 project.

The miners had blocked portions of the Butre River within a palm plantation and were mining within the water and destroying it. The miners absconded upon sighting the vehicles of the task force.

Two (2) Sany excavators found at the site were moved to the Mpohor district office. The task force immobilized the excavators by removing their monitors and control boards. Three (3) water pumping machines were also seized at the site.

Additionally, some explosives were found at the site and were disposed of by an explosive expert with the task force.

Several makeshift structures and old water pumps and hoses were burnt at the site. The task force also destroyed several changfan machines that were in the water mining.

Subsequently, the taskforce traced and raided the residence of the illegal miners and seized the following:

7 x pump action guns
12 x BB cartridges
1 x 32-inch television
3 x radios
1 x control board
1 x gray unregistered Toyota Hilux
3 x water pumping machines

Following this, the Taskforce conducted extensive operations along the Butre River flow line and burnt several makeshift structures and pumping machines of the local illegal miners within the Mpohor District.

The task force thereafter continued the operations at Mpohor Fiase general area focusing on the Butre River, where it burnt several makeshift structures and changfans.

It was generally observed from the day’s operations that most of the mining sites had been abandoned due to the presence of the NAIMOS taskforce in the region.

NAIMOS would therefore extend the operations and dominate the Ahanta West and other adjoining Assemblies to ensure that all water bodies are kept off illegal mining activities.