The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has intercepted 1,070 additional Chanfang machines concealed in separate containers at Tema Port on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. This latest operation follows an earlier intelligence-led seizure in which more than 200 machines were discovered hidden in 14 shipping containers. EPA officials have described the scale of the new interception as alarming, noting that the machines were reportedly destined for mining districts across the country.
In response, the Authority has intensified surveillance at the ports and tightened controls on the importation of Chanfang machines as part of efforts to combat environmental degradation, particularly the pollution of major water bodies. The crackdown forms part of the EPA’s ongoing pilot initiative to restore polluted rivers. Recently, the Authority deployed ionic nano-copper technology to treat the heavily contaminated River Birim, at an estimated cost of $200,000 per kilometre.
Officials maintain that Chanfang machines are a major driver of the destruction of water bodies through illegal and unregulated mining activities. They insist the EPA will not relent in preventing the smuggling of such equipment into the country without proper regulation and oversight.
Source: Philip Lartey
