EPA Bans Fabrication, Importation, Sale and Use of "Chanfan" Machines in Ghana

October 29, 2025

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a directive prohibiting the fabrication, importation, sale, and use of "Chanfan" machines in Ghana, citing severe environmental damage caused by their use in illegal mining operations.

In a press release dated October 29, 2025, the EPA announced that it has observed the fabrication of Chanfan machines being undertaken without the required permits or environmental authorization from the EPA, contrary to 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 exercised its powers under sections 3(2)(b) and 35 of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), in accordance with its mandate to regulate, protect, and coordinate all matters relating to the environment, including to restrict or prohibit activities that pose serious risks to the environment and public health.

With immediate effect, the fabrication, importation, and use of Chanfan machines without EPA permit are prohibited. Any workshops or shops found producing or selling these machines will be shut down, and all existing equipment will be seized and dismantled. All individuals, workshops, and establishments involved in the fabrication, importation, sale, or distribution of Chanfan machines must cease operations immediately.

The Authority also issued a final warning to individuals, groups, and companies engaged in mining within water bodies to stop such illegal activities immediately, as these actions are serious violations of national environmental and mining regulations.

Chanfan machines, which are locally fabricated mining equipment, have become a major tool in illegal small-scale mining activities, commonly known as "galamsey," particularly in river bodies across Ghana. These machines use high-pressure water systems to extract gold and other minerals from riverbeds, causing significant environmental degradation in the process.

The environmental impact of Chanfan machines includes the contamination of water sources with heavy metals and sediments, making them unsafe for drinking and other domestic uses; destruction of riverbed ecosystems and aquatic habitats; increased turbidity and siltation of water bodies affecting fish populations; erosion of riverbanks leading to flooding and land degradation; and long-term damage to the ecological balance of affected river systems.

EPA enforcement operations, in collaboration with security agencies, will ensure full compliance with this directive through monitoring, seizure, and prosecution where necessary. The agency has indicated that it will work closely with the Ghana Police Service, military units, and other relevant security agencies to enforce the ban across all regions of the country.

The directive represents one of the strongest regulatory actions taken by the EPA in recent times to combat illegal mining and its associated environmental destruction. The move comes amid growing public concern about the deteriorating state of Ghana's water bodies and the long-term environmental and health consequences of unregulated mining activities.

Environmental activists and civil society organizations have welcomed the EPA's directive, viewing it as a crucial step toward protecting Ghana's water resources and ecosystems. However, they have also called for sustained enforcement and adequate resources to ensure the ban is effectively implemented across the country.

The prohibition of Chanfan machines is expected to impact individuals and communities that have relied on the fabrication and sale of these machines as a source of income. However, the EPA emphasized that the environmental and public health costs of allowing these machines to continue operating far outweigh the short-term economic benefits to a limited number of individuals.

The directive also raises questions about alternative livelihood opportunities for those affected by the ban. Government officials and development partners will need to consider programs to support communities and individuals transitioning away from activities related to Chanfan machine production and use.

Legal experts note that violations of the EPA directive could result in prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025, which provides for significant penalties including fines and imprisonment for individuals and entities that breach environmental regulations. Workshop owners, importers, sellers, and users of Chanfan machines all face potential legal consequences if they fail to comply with the immediate cessation order.

The EPA has urged members of the public to report any ongoing fabrication, sale, or use of Chanfan machines to the authorities. The agency has committed to responding promptly to such reports and taking appropriate enforcement action.

The directive marks a significant escalation in Ghana's fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation. Its success will depend on sustained enforcement efforts, inter-agency cooperation, and public support for protecting the country's natural resources and water bodies for current and future generations.