The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a sweeping directive prohibiting the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of “Changfan” mining machines across Ghana, citing their devastating impact on the country’s rivers and ecosystems.
The ban, which takes immediate effect, follows growing concerns that the widespread use of the machines in small-scale mining operations has contributed to the pollution of water bodies, heavy siltation of riverbeds, and the destruction of aquatic life.
In a press release issued on October 29, 2025, the EPA said it had observed that the fabrication of Chanfan machines was being carried out without the necessary permits or environmental authorisation, in violation of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
“While the fabrication and sale of these machines may have provided a source of livelihood for some individuals, their use in mining operations within rivers has caused severe environmental destruction, including the pollution of water bodies, siltation of riverbeds, and loss of aquatic biodiversity,” the EPA stated.
Acting under sections 3(2)(b) and 35 of Act 1124, the Authority announced that all individuals, workshops, and businesses involved in producing or distributing Chanfan machines must cease operations immediately. “Any workshops or shops found producing or selling these machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be seized and dismantled,” the statement warned.
The EPA further issued a final caution to persons and groups engaged in illegal mining within water bodies to stop such operations at once, stressing that such activities constitute “serious violations of national environmental and mining regulations.”
To ensure full compliance, the EPA said it would work in collaboration with security agencies to enforce the directive through monitoring, seizure, and prosecution where necessary.
The latest move comes amid renewed efforts by the government to protect Ghana’s water resources and clamp down on illegal mining activities that have degraded major rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin.
Members of the public and stakeholders seeking clarification have been urged to contact the EPA via email at client.relations@epa.gov.gh or through its official website, www.epa.gov.gh.
