NAIMOS launches major crackdown on illegal miners polluting Birim River in Eastern Region

Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched a substantial enforcement operation in the Kyebi area of the Eastern Region, targeting illegal mining activities that have severely degraded the Birim River and undermined water production for thousands of Ghanaians. The operation marks a significant escalation in the fight against illegal mining's impact on critical water infrastructure.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, NAIMOS personnel have already moved into identified illegal mining zones along the river and dismantled several initial sites. The taskforce continues to advance into additional locations where mining activities have been detected, with operations focused specifically on removing miners and shutting down mining equipment operating within and adjacent to the river corridor.

Restoring water supply to affected communities

One of the primary drivers of this operation is the urgent need to restore Ghana Water Company Limited's ability to extract and treat water from the Birim River. The utility company's operations have been crippled by severe pollution and environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled illegal mining activities. Communities that depend on water from the affected waterworks have experienced disruptions to their supply as a result.

NAIMOS emphasised that protecting Ghana's water bodies is central to the broader anti-illegal mining agenda. The Secretariat plans to sustain the Kyebi operation as part of long-term efforts to rehabilitate the Birim River, protect its catchment from further damage, and create conditions for the river's gradual recovery. Beyond the immediate clearance of illegal miners, NAIMOS will maintain surveillance at cleared locations to prevent miners from returning and reestablishing operations.

Why it matters for Ghana

Illegal mining has emerged as one of the most damaging environmental challenges facing Ghana, with significant consequences for water security, public health, and economic activity. The Birim River is not merely a local resource—it is part of broader water infrastructure that serves multiple communities and industrial users across the Eastern Region. When mining operations pollute major rivers, the ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate mining sites.

The degradation of water sources increases treatment costs for utilities, forces communities to seek alternative and often unsafe water supplies, and can trigger public health crises. By targeting illegal mining at its source, NAIMOS is attempting to prevent these cascading problems rather than manage their consequences. This operation also signals that the government is willing to deploy resources to enforce environmental regulations, which may deter future illegal mining activity in other parts of the country.

The success of this operation will likely depend on sustained enforcement pressure and cooperation from local communities, traditional authorities, and security agencies. NAIMOS has called on communities along the Birim River to support the exercise and urged individuals engaged in illegal mining to cease their activities voluntarily.

Next steps and enforcement strategy

NAIMOS has reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside security agencies, regulatory institutions, the Ghana Water Company Limited, traditional authorities, and local communities to protect the river and restore it as a reliable water source. The Secretariat's emphasis on sustained surveillance suggests this will not be a one-off operation but rather part of an ongoing enforcement presence in the area.

The operation also reflects broader government efforts to tackle illegal mining through multiple channels, including law enforcement, rehabilitation of degraded sites, and protection of critical water infrastructure. For Ghanaians, particularly those in water-stressed areas, the success of operations like this in Kyebi could directly translate to more reliable access to clean water.