453 recruits under the Ministry’s Blue Water Guards program were commissioned yesterday, Monday, April 14, 2025, by Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, following four weeks of rigorous training at the Naval Operating Base in Ezinlibo, Jomoro Municipality, Western Region.
Together with the Ghana Navy, the recently trained guards will fight illicit mining (galamsey) on important waterways, such as the Ankobra, Pra, Fia, Tano, and Bonsa rivers. They will be taught surveillance, survival swimming, boat handling, and basic warfare.
As the first line of defense for Ghana’s water resources, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah urged the recruits to maintain professionalism and integrity.
“Your role is critical,” he emphasized. “You are the eyes, ears, and first point of contact, working with traditional leaders and the local communities to safeguard our water bodies from illegal mining. Your duty is to observe, report, and escalate threats to the Ghana Navy Riverine Command Unit promptly.”
The minister explained that rather than fighting, the Blue Water Guards will operate as intelligence collectors, providing the Navy with up-to-date information so that it can act quickly.
He urged them to exhibit the utmost discipline and warned that violations of their Code of Conduct would result in severe penalties.
Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) have been set up for coordinated observation along the Ankobra, Fia, Bonsa, and downstream Pra rivers to improve quick reaction.
Along with preserving forests and waterways from illicit mining, the minister also revealed plans to extend the program to the Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Bono, and Savannah areas, generating over 2,000 direct jobs.
Hon. Brogya Genfi, the Deputy Minister of Defense, reiterated the Navy’s dedication to helping the guards patrol the forests and rivers.
“Illegal mining is one of the greatest threats to our nation,” he stated.
“Its devastating effects—poisoned water bodies, destroyed farmlands, and intergenerational harm—demand urgent action. The Blue Water Guards are fully empowered, backed by strong institutional support.”
The Minerals Commission’s deputy chief executive officer, Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, “Government leadership alone cannot win this fight.”
“It requires the commitment of every citizen, traditional leader, and stakeholder. Protecting our water resources is a duty we all owe to future generations.”
To assist in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources, citizens are urged to volunteer as Water Guards and join the battle by reporting suspicious activity.
In Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, the Blue Water Guards’ commissioning represents a crucial milestone that strikes a balance between economic empowerment and law enforcement.
The goal of the government’s implementation of these policies is to protect the environment while guaranteeing ethical and sustainable mining for all Ghanaians.
Source: newsthemegh.com