The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced an immediate nationwide ban on the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of “Changfan” machines, citing their devastating impact on Ghana’s environment through illegal mining activities.
In a statement, the Authority explained that the machines, widely used in river-based mining operations, are being manufactured and operated without the required environmental permits — a clear violation of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
“Any workshops or shops found producing or selling these machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be seized and dismantled,” the EPA cautioned.
The Authority noted that the use of Changfan machines has caused severe pollution of water bodies, siltation of riverbeds, and destruction of aquatic ecosystems — posing serious threats to biodiversity and public health.
Effective immediately, all individuals, workshops, and businesses engaged in the fabrication, importation, sale, or distribution of Changfan machines are directed to cease operations.
The EPA also issued a stern warning to illegal miners operating within water bodies, stressing that such activities constitute grave breaches of Ghana’s environmental and mining laws.
To ensure compliance, the EPA announced the launch of nationwide enforcement operations in collaboration with national security agencies. These efforts will include close monitoring, seizure of prohibited equipment, and prosecution of offenders.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s environment, emphasising that the move marks a decisive step in the national campaign to curb illegal mining and protect the country’s vital natural resources.
