The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Ghana, has destroyed about 80 illegal mining platforms operating on the River Offin as part of efforts to curb galamsey and protect water bodies in affected communities.
The exercise, carried out in the Atwima Mponua District, targeted sections of the river around Adiembra and surrounding communities including Agogosu, Ntobroso, Enyinam, Akumfere, and Tobroso, where illegal mining activities are reported to be widespread.
According to the Association, the operation was a self-financed intervention aimed at supporting government efforts to combat illegal mining, which continues to pollute rivers, destroy farmlands, and degrade forest reserves.
The Director of Operations, Philip Bawa Ajamujobe, said the team identified extensive damage to the Offin River, including mining platforms on the water and excavators operating along riverbanks, discharging waste directly into the river.
He said about 80 “champion platforms” were dismantled during the operation, adding that the exercise would continue in the coming days to cover other affected areas.
Mr. Ajamujobe warned illegal miners to desist from activities that harm water bodies and called on traditional leaders and local authorities to take a more active role in addressing the issue.
He also raised concerns about environmental degradation in Tobroso, where he said mining activities had contributed to flooding and significant damage to the river ecosystem.
The Offin River, a key source of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, continues to face pressure from illegal mining, with renewed calls for stronger enforcement to protect it.