An intensified, community-led operation to reclaim Ghana’s vital water sources from illegal mining (galamsey) culminated on Friday, November 21, 2025, with the destruction of five ‘changfan’ mining machines on the River Ankobra in Tarkwa Bremang.
The Bogoso Blue Water Guards, a dedicated local anti-galamsey task force, conducted the high-stakes enforcement sweep as part of their ongoing mandate to protect the heavily polluted river system within the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality.
The ‘changfan’ machines—makeshift, engine-powered dredging devices often placed on rafts or pontoons—are highly destructive tools used by illegal miners to churn up riverbeds and extract gold-bearing sediments.
The operation effectively neutralized this equipment, sending a clear, unambiguous signal to miners operating along the riverbanks.
Allan Acheampong, Commander for Bogoso Blue Water Guards, who personally led the field exercise, issued a stern warning to those flouting environmental laws.
He emphasized the dire ecological consequences of their actions:
“You can’t even get a single fish from the river due to the activities of galamsey. We have set five changfan machines ablaze. We are warning all those mining on the river to stop.”
Commander Acheampong underscored that the immediate destruction of the equipment serves as a clear message that “illegal activities on the water bodies will not be tolerated.”
The River Ankobra is one of the most critical rivers in the Western Region, yet it has suffered severe degradation in recent years.
Galamsey activities introduce massive quantities of heavy metals, including mercury and cyanide (used in gold processing), as well as silt, into the water.
This toxic runoff dramatically increases the turbidity (muddiness) of the water, making it unsafe for human consumption and devastating aquatic ecosystems.
The operation falls under the larger national effort to restore Ghana’s severely affected rivers to their natural state, a challenge that requires significant commitment from both government and local community groups like the Blue Water Guards.
To ensure the safety and effectiveness of their patrols, the volunteer-based Blue Water Guards made an urgent appeal to authorities and environmental stakeholders for crucial logistical support.
Commander Acheampong specifically requested additional resources to bolster their future missions:
“He also appealed to authorities to support the team with additional logistics, including life jackets and speed boats, to enhance the safety and effectiveness of future operations.”
Securing these tools is vital as the enforcement operations often take place in hazardous, remote areas and involve confronting well-resourced illegal mining syndicates. The successful operation on the Ankobra highlights the continued reliance on local, community-driven task forces to protect Ghana’s natural resources.