The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced an immediate prohibition on the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of “Changfan” machines in Ghana, citing significant environmental damage resulting from their application in illegal mining activities.
In a statement released by the Authority, the EPA highlighted that the fabrication of Chanfan machines is occurring without the requisite environmental permits or authorisation, thereby breaching the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
The EPA indicated that although the fabrication and sale of these machines have generated income for certain individuals, their utilisation in river mining has resulted in extensive pollution of water bodies, siltation of riverbeds, and harm to 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.
The directive forbids the fabrication, importation, and use of Chanfan machines without an EPA permit.
It also cautions that “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 has mandated that all individuals, workshops, and establishments engaged in the fabrication, importation, sale, or distribution of Chanfan machines must halt operations immediately.
The Authority has issued a final warning to individuals and companies involved in mining within water bodies to cease such illegal activities, stressing that these actions represent serious breaches of national environmental and mining regulations.
The EPA announced that enforcement operations, in partnership with security agencies, will be conducted to ensure complete compliance through monitoring, seizure, and prosecution when necessary.
For additional information, the public is encouraged to reach out to the Environmental Protection Authority via email at client.relations@epa.gov.gh or by telephone at 0506694760 / 0507227726, or visit www.epa.gov.gh.
