EPA, Port Authorities inspecting the consignment
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has seized 1,070 chanfang machines concealed at the Tema Port on Tuesday, March 3.
According to EPA officials, the machines are used to destroy water bodies through illegal and unregulated mining activities. They insisted that the Authority will crack the whip to prevent such equipment from being smuggled into the country without proper regulations and oversight.
The interception of the1,070 chanfang machines aligns with the Authority’s ongoing pilot initiative to restore polluted rivers. Recently, the EPA deployed ionic nano-copper technology to treat the heavily polluted River Birim at an estimated cost of $200,000 per kilometre.
200 Chanfang seizure
Some 200 chanfang machines, concealed in 14 shipping containers, were intercepted at the Tema Port weeks ago by the Authority following intelligence gathered by National Security.
Addressing the interception on Joy News’ Pulse, the EPA Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations, Prof. Michael Ayamga-Adongo, confirmed that the Authority would conduct a comprehensive probe into how the machinery entered the country.
Prof. Ayamga-Adongo vowed that the machines would not be released unless authorities were satisfied that they could not be deployed for illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He noted that the interception formed part of a broader crackdown aimed at dismantling the supply chain that fuels environmental degradation.
Chanfang Ban
The Environmental Protection Authority has banned the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of chanfang machines in the country.
The Authority, in a press statement, acknowledged the fabrication and sale of the machines have provided income for some individuals, indicating that their use in river mining has led to widespread pollution of water bodies, siltation of riverbeds, and destruction of aquatic life.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Environmental Protection Authority under sections 3(2)(b) and 35 of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124)… the following directive is hereby issued,” the statement said.
EPA also warned that any workshops or shops found producing or selling chanfang machines without a permit would be shut down immediately.
The Authority also issued a final warning to individuals, groups, and companies engaged in mining within water bodies to stop such illegal activities immediately, as these actions are serious violations of national environmental and mining regulations.
The seized chanfang machines
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke