Operation Water Shield Launched to Protect Ghana’s Rivers from Illegal Mining
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched Operation Water Shield, a far-reaching national enforcement campaign designed to safeguard Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds, and other vital water resources from the destructive impacts of illegal mining. Unlike previous one-off raids, Operation Water Shield marks a shift to a sustained, intelligence-led strategy that targets priority river systems, especially those close to downstream communities and water-treatment facilities. The campaign, announced in a statement on Friday, September 11, 2026, will focus on heavily threatened rivers such as the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, and Offin, along with affected stretches of the Black and White Volta systems. Strategic source areas and upper catchments critical to downstream water quality will also be given priority. NAIMOS emphasised that the operation will be carried out in partnership with relevant security and state agencies, aiming to protect river sources, deny illegal miners access to riverbanks and waterways, dismantle logistics and financial networks enabling illegal mining, and restore degraded water bodies. Sustained monitoring will be established to prevent reoccupation of cleared areas. “Enforcement under Operation WATER SHIELD will be firm, sustained and uncompromising, within the law,” the Secretariat announced. Illegal miners operating on riverbanks and waterways should expect disruptions to their activities, with equipment such as excavators, changfan machines, Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Roads Minister Calls for Innovative Funding and Private Sector Role to Bridge Ghana’s Transport Gap
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has called for fresh approaches to financing and delivering Ghana’s transport infrastructure, urging a greater role for the private sector to help close the country’s widening infrastructure gap. Speaking at the 2026 Transport Sector Review Conference in Ho, Volta Region, Mr. Agbodza argued that traditional public financing was no longer sufficient to develop and maintain the roads, bridges, and other critical transport links Ghana needs. The conference, held under the theme “Financing and Delivery of Resilient Transport Infrastructure and Services: A Big Push for Sustainable Economic Transformation,” gathered policymakers, development partners, private-sector representatives, transport unions, academia, and industry experts to chart the sector’s future. According to the minister, Ghana must mobilise additional resources, improve spending efficiency, strengthen asset management, and build an environment that attracts private capital. “The government would explore innovative and predictable financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable funding for infrastructure development and maintenance,” he said. Mr. Agbodza stressed that transport infrastructure should be seen as vital economic connectors, not just physical assets—enabling people, businesses, farmers, and communities to play their part in national growth. “This is why the government has placed the Big Push infrastructure programme at the centre of its development agenda,” he said. Launched in September 2025, the Big Push programme represents a bold national investment drive aimed at plugging infrastructure gaps and supporting economic transformation. Achieving its goals, Mr. Agbodza noted, will require effective financing, efficient project execution, and responsible asset management. The Minister also urged engineers and technical professionals to devise simpler, more cost-effective designs that do not sacrifice quality, durability, or safety. “Engineering solutions should take into consideration Ghana’s financial realities while ensuring that infrastructure remained fit for purpose and capable of serving the needs of communities over the long term,” he emphasised. Mr. Agbodza further called for managers of major transport facilities to prioritise safety and accessibility. He advocated for clear emergency exit signage and proper lighting, especially to aid travellers with visual impairments, stating, “Improving accessibility and safety should form an integral part of infrastructure planning rather than being treated as an afterthought.” He concluded by highlighting the necessity of strong collaboration among government, technical institutions, private-sector actors, and other stakeholders to mobilise the resources and expertise needed to transform Ghana’s transport sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Education Minister Challenges Minority Leader on Claims of Crisis in School Placements
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has pushed back against claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that Ghana’s education sector is facing a crisis over school placements. Speaking on TV3’s “New Day” morning programme, as monitored by Gordon Sackitey, Mr. Iddrisu acknowledged that the government is indeed under significant pressure to respond to the concerns of students and parents, particularly in relation to the placement process. However, he cautioned against labelling the situation as a crisis, arguing that similar challenges have persisted under previous administrations. “Inadequate, for example, I’m struggling with placements. I am. As Minister, I would accept that we have come under overwhelming pressure to respond and be responsive to the needs of Ghanaian students and parents. But it does not mean we should exaggerate it as a crisis,” Mr. Iddrisu stated. A former Minority Leader himself, Mr. Iddrisu also addressed the current Minority leadership, emphasizing that the office carries significant responsibility and requires careful communication and consultation. He commended Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s performance but urged him to consult more widely and work collaboratively with his team. “The Honourable Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin is doing well but on a few enterprises of the Minority leadership, he needs to be doing more consultation and work with a team,” he said. Mr. Iddrisu further questioned whether the challenges being described as a crisis were new to Ghana’s education system, asking, “So when the Honourable Afenyo says crisis, did the crisis start one and a half years ago or…? He should provide answers.” Defending Ghana’s democratic credentials, the Minister described the country as a beacon of hope in Africa and stressed the importance of protecting its democratic ethos. He reiterated that the Office of the Minority Leader should be guided by facts and truth, stating, “The Office of the Minority Leader is a very important office. So when you are not sure, don’t speak.” The exchange comes amid renewed political debate over ongoing challenges in the education sector, especially the placement of students into Senior High Schools. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Launches Operation WATER SHIELD to Target Illegal Mining Financiers and Equipment Suppliers
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has unveiled a bold new strategy in the fight against illegal mining, announcing plans to target not just miners, but also the financiers, facilitators, and equipment suppliers fueling the destructive activity known locally as galamsey. In a statement launching Operation WATER SHIELD, NAIMOS outlined a national enforcement campaign aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds, and critical water resources from the ravages of illegal mining. Unlike previous efforts that primarily focused on miners and mining sites, this campaign will pursue the wider criminal and financial networks sustaining galamsey operations. The campaign will increase scrutiny on those who facilitate illegal mining, unauthorized manufacturers of chanfang machines, and individuals or companies that rent or supply excavators, water pumps, and other machinery used in the illicit trade. Enforcement, NAIMOS pledged, will be “firm, sustained and uncompromising, within the law.” Illegal miners working on riverbanks and water bodies should expect their operations to be disrupted, with any seized equipment immobilized or dealt with according to the law. Excavators, chanfang machines, water pumps, and dredging equipment will remain prime targets. Operation WATER SHIELD will focus on some of Ghana’s most threatened river systems, including the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, and Offin Rivers, as well as critically impacted sections of the Black and White Volta systems. Strategic source areas and upper catchments, which play a crucial role in downstream water quality, will also receive priority attention. NAIMOS described the campaign as a shift from isolated enforcement actions to a sustained, intelligence-led approach that targets both the source and downstream impact zones of illegal mining. The operation will be conducted in collaboration with security and state agencies to deny illegal miners access to riverbanks and waterways, dismantle their logistics and financing structures, and support the restoration of degraded water bodies. Ultimately, the Secretariat’s goal is to “substantially degrade and contain illegal mining within protected watersheds,” restrict the movement of heavy equipment into sensitive river systems, and disrupt the networks that enable illegal mining to persist. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Seven Dead, 21 Injured in Tragic Accident on Hwideim-Acherensua Highway
A devastating road crash on the Hwideim-Acherensua Highway in the Ahafo Region has claimed the lives of seven people and left 21 others injured. The accident occurred on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, involving a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus (registration GT-9931-09) and a Kia Picanto (registration BA-731-20). According to a statement from the Ghana National Fire Service shared on Facebook, preliminary investigations revealed that the Sprinter bus suffered a tyre burst while traveling along the highway. The driver lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and collide with the oncoming Kia Picanto. Firefighters from the Hwideim District Fire Station responded swiftly to the scene, rescuing the victims from the wreckage of both vehicles. The injured were immediately transported to the St Elizabeth Hospital in Hwideim for urgent medical attention. Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Parents in Binduri District Demand Answers as WAEC Fails to Account for BECE Maths Answer Sheets
Parents in the Binduri District of Ghana’s Upper East Region are voicing growing concerns after the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) failed to account for the Mathematics objective answer sheets of 165 candidates who sat for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The missing answer sheets, belonging to students from six schools, Benguri Junior High School (JHS), Christian Academy, Yaligun JHS, Amazing Grace JHS, Good Friends International JHS, and Gumyoko JHS, have sparked fears that the affected candidates could miss out on placement in Senior High School (SHS). The SHS placement process is already underway, intensifying anxiety among parents and students alike. Aruk Gabriel, a parent whose child is among those affected, explained to Citi News that parents initially believed the delay in releasing results was a routine matter that would be resolved in time for SHS placement. However, after following up with education authorities in Bolgatanga, they learned that the Mathematics objective answer sheets could not be found. “Now, are they saying that our children should wait? Should they not go to school until they find the papers, mark them and release the results so that we know whether they will get placement? By then, it will be too late,” Mr. Gabriel lamented. The uncertainty surrounding the missing answer sheets has left 165 candidates and their families in limbo. Parents are now urging the Ministry of Education and WAEC to take immediate action to locate the answer sheets, mark them, and release the results before the SHS placement process concludes. The affected families warn that any further delays could unfairly hinder the educational prospects of their children, and are calling for urgent intervention to resolve the crisis. Source: Apexnewsgh.com