The NAIMOS Taskforce intensified its anti-galamsey operations in the Eastern Region on Friday, 5 December 2025, pushing deeper into the Atiwa Forest as part of a sustained effort to dismantle entrenched illegal mining networks.
The day-long operation, which began at first light and continued until nightfall, revealed disturbing evidence of child labour, environmental destruction and sophisticated mining setups.
Starting at 0700 hours, the taskforce advanced through the forest zones between Pimpong and Fante Ebuorho—areas that have become hotspots for illegal mining along the Ayensu River.
The team discovered that portions of the river had been diverted to feed galamsey pits, severely disrupting the natural flow and threatening the ecological stability of one of the region’s critical water bodies.
During the sweep, NAIMOS operatives encountered children actively engaged in mining-related tasks, a violation of Ghana’s child protection laws and a growing concern within illegal mining areas.
Officials noted that the children were exposed to unsafe working conditions, highlighting the social risks created by illegal mining operations in forest communities.
Additionally, the taskforce identified and documented various forms of heavy machinery in use, including excavators, pumping systems, and improvised equipment designed to extract gold from the riverbed and surrounding forest areas. These setups appeared to support well-coordinated galamsey operations concealed within the thick vegetation.
The discoveries form part of a broader intelligence-led strategy to track and dismantle illegal mining networks believed to be contributing to widespread pollution of the Ayensu River and the degradation of the protected Atiwa Forest Reserve.
