Galamsey Fight – 530 New River Guards Commissioned
The government has deployed an additional 530 Blue Water Guards to intensify its crackdown on illegal mining and restore polluted river bodies across the country. The new recruits, inaugurated at the Ezinlibo Naval Base in the Western Region, form the second batch under the Blue Water Initiative launched in 2024.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and MP for Ellembelle, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, called the deployment “a critical step in reclaiming the purity of our rivers.” He urged the recruits to carry out their duties with “courage and integrity,” noting their role in restoring hope and environmental dignity.
The Blue Water Guards are trained by the Ghana Navy and serve as frontline monitors, tasked with protecting rivers, enforcing environmental laws, and engaging local communities. Their presence has already led to improved conditions in some river systems affected by galamsey.
Hon. Buah highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining on water resources, citing shutdowns of treatment plants in parts of the Western and Central Regions. He emphasized the need to distinguish between responsible mining and the destructive practices of galamsey.
The Minister also announced a forthcoming Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme to provide legal and sustainable alternatives for artisanal miners.
“We are not just fighting galamsey we are building a new future,” he concluded. “Together, we will make our rivers clean, blue, and life-giving once more.”
