A major joint enforcement operation has dealt a significant blow to illegal mining activities threatening Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA), with the destruction of 78 Changfan machines, 106 water pumping units and the arrest of 20 suspects in the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve.
The three-day operation, led by the Takoradi Forestry Services Division (FSD) in collaboration with the Wildlife Division of the Ankasa Conservation Area, targeted illegal mining hotspots stretching from Tumentu to Princess Town within the ecologically sensitive Cape Three Points landscape.
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area (GCTPMPA). Established in April 2026, the protected area is Ghana’s first MPA and represents a landmark conservation initiative aimed at restoring fish stocks, protecting marine biodiversity and strengthening the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and other key stakeholders, has intensified efforts to safeguard the area from environmental degradation. This collaboration reflects Government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s marine, coastal and inland aquatic ecosystems through integrated natural resource management.
Commenting on the operation, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, stressed that protecting Ghana’s fisheries begins with protecting the country’s rivers, forests and coastal ecosystems.
“Illegal mining is not just destroying our forests and rivers; it is destroying the very foundation of Ghana’s fisheries. Polluted rivers and streams eventually flow into the sea, carrying sediments and toxic chemicals that destroy fish habitats, breeding grounds and the ecosystems that sustain both inland and marine fisheries. That is why the fight against galamsey is inseparable from the fight to restore our fisheries. This is particularly critical in the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area, where healthy freshwater and marine ecosystems are essential to rebuilding fish stocks, conserving biodiversity and securing sustainable livelihoods for our coastal communities. Protecting this Marine Protected Area is therefore not optional—it is essential if we are to safeguard Ghana’s fisheries for present and future generations.”
Environmental experts have warned that illegal mining activities within the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve pose a direct threat to the success of the Marine Protected Area. Rivers and streams originating from the forest reserve flow into the marine ecosystem, carrying sediments and harmful pollutants that degrade water quality, destroy habitats and disrupt critical fish breeding grounds.
Just days before the operation, the Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IX, raised concerns about the escalating environmental damage in the area. He warned that pollution from illegal mining was discolouring coastal waters and threatening the ecological integrity of the newly established Marine Protected Area.
During the operation, enforcement teams dismantled illegal mining infrastructure across multiple sites. On the first day, officers destroyed 22 Changfan machines, 18 water pumping units and four rubber tents near Tumentu. The second day saw the destruction of 41 Changfan machines, 58 water pumping units and 12 rubber tents. On the final day, officers destroyed an additional 15 Changfan machines, 30 water pumping units and three rubber tents near Princess Town.
In total, 13 suspects arrested during last week’s enforcement exercise were arraigned before the court and remanded into prison custody pending further proceedings. As the intensified crackdown continued, an additional seven suspects were arrested during subsequent operations, bringing the total number of arrests connected to the ongoing enforcement activities to 20.
The operation brought together personnel from the Forestry Services Division, Wildlife Division, the Rapid Response Team, Forest Guards and Youth for Change, demonstrating a coordinated multi-agency approach to protecting one of Ghana’s most environmentally significant landscapes.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture commended the Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the security agencies and all personnel involved in the operation, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration to combat illegal mining, protect critical ecosystems and preserve the biodiversity and fisheries resources that support millions of Ghanaians.
The suspects are expected to face prosecution under Ghana’s mining and environmental laws as investigations and enforcement activities continue across the Cape Three Points landscape.
The enforcement action underscores Government’s commitment to protecting the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area and ensuring that Ghana’s first MPA delivers healthier marine ecosystems, restored fish stocks and sustainable livelihoods for present and future generations.
