The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced an immediate ban on the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of “Chanfan” machines across Ghana.
In a press release dated October 29, 2025, the EPA stated that the move aims to curb the environmental destruction caused by the use of these machines in illegal mining activities, particularly within river bodies.
According to the Authority, the unregulated fabrication and sale of “Chanfan” machines violate the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
The EPA noted that while the trade in these machines has provided income for some individuals, their use in mining operations has caused severe pollution of water bodies, siltation of riverbeds, and the destruction of aquatic life.
The directive, issued under Sections 3(2)(b) and 35 of Act 1124, orders all workshops and shops involved in producing or selling the machines to cease operations immediately. Offenders will have their equipment seized and dismantled.
The Authority also issued a final warning to individuals and companies engaged in mining within rivers, stressing that such activities constitute serious violations of environmental and mining laws.
The EPA said it will collaborate with security agencies to enforce the directive through monitoring, seizure, and prosecution of offenders.
