The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested a Chinese national. This occurred during a large-scale operation against illegal mining activities along the Offin River. The raid took place at Dawusaso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.
The operation on Saturday, May 16, 2026, targeted a known galamsey hotspot. NAIMOS operatives moved in between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm following solid intelligence. They found many people, including women, digging for gold illegally. The suspects ran away when they saw the taskforce approaching. Xiao Weixin, a 41-year-old Chinese man living in Dawusaso, was apprehended at the scene. The taskforce took an Apsonic tricycle and two Gota mining machines from him. They also seized his Huawei mobile phone.
Illegal mining operations like these cause huge damage to Ghana’s environment. The miners had purposefully rerouted parts of the Offin River. They built an artificial dam to create a suitable area for their work. This diversion poses a grave danger to communities that rely on the river for water. NAIMOS destroyed two changfan machines that were directly on the river. These machines were set on fire to prevent further harm. Three excavators were also discovered abandoned at the site. These included two Caterpillar machines and one Sany excavator. The operators had removed important parts like monitors and ignition keys. They also tried to damage the serial numbers on the chassis, making identification very hard.
In another part of the operation, a group of illegal miners fled. They left behind a drum of diesel when they intercepted them on the Dawusaso road. The taskforce secured this fuel. NAIMOS stated this operation is part of its ongoing commitment. The goal is to stop illegal mining which is destroying precious water bodies. The Offin River has suffered greatly from these activities. NAIMOS is dedicated to restoring and protecting Ghana's natural resources.
The arrested Chinese national is now in Accra at the NAIMOS Secretariat. He will undergo further investigations. Authorities plan to hand him over to the Ghana Immigration Service. This will allow for legal proceedings to commence. This action shows the government’s seriousness in tackling the galamsey crisis. It is a significant step in protecting Ghana's environment and resources from further degradation by illegal operators.