The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana has intensified its campaign against illegal mining, destroying approximately 80 chanfan platforms operating directly on the River Offin in a renewed operation targeting illegal miners polluting the country’s water bodies.
The operation, which took place on Thursday, June 19, 2026, was led by Philip Bawa Ajamujobe, who confirmed that the task force had previously acted on the same river and returned following continued illegal activities.
“We have observed massive destruction of our river bodies, particularly the River Offin, where we have acted before and today. We have destroyed about 80 chanfan platforms mining in the river bodies,” Ajamujobe stated. YEN News
The targeted operation took place in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, where the task force encountered heavy-duty equipment and excavators working along the riverbanks. The illegal operators were found discharging hazardous mining waste directly into the open water source.
The self-funded initiative began at Adiembra near the Nyinahin bridge and advanced sequentially through Agogoso, Ntobroso, Enyinam, and Akumfere before concluding at Tobroso.
Ajamujobe served notice that the task force will continue its deployments to track down offenders, stating emphatically: “We will not spare anybody when found.” YEN News
The operation forms part of the Association’s broader commitment to support the government’s ongoing anti-galamsey campaign and to protect the credibility of legitimate small-scale mining in Ghana. The Offin River, one of Ghana’s most economically and ecologically significant river bodies, has suffered extensive pollution in recent years as a result of illegal dredging and chemical discharge by unlicensed operators.
