The government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has launched the Blue Water River Guard training program, a key initiative under the Blue Water Initiative aimed at equipping 2,000 Ghanaian youth with the skills to protect the country’s river bodies.
The first phase of the program will see 400 young men and women undergo intensive training by the Ghana Navy Riverine Command under the supervision of the Minerals Commission to combat illegal mining activities on water bodies.
Speaking at the launch in Ezinlibo, Jomoro Municipality, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, who represented President John Dramani Mahama, underscored the initiative’s significance in the fight against illegal mining.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah urged recruits to take their responsibility seriously, stating, “The protection of our river bodies is being entrusted to you. You cannot afford to be complacent or irresponsible in the discharge of your duties.”
He stressed that Ghana’s rivers are essential to national development and assured that the government would take decisive action to restore degraded water bodies while preserving those still in good condition.
“Our rivers are more than just bodies of water; they are the lifelines of our communities. They provide drinking water, support agriculture, sustain fisheries, drive tourism, and facilitate transportation. Yet, the selfish actions of illegal miners are robbing us of these vital resources. The Blue Water Initiative is our response—a comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water bodies and promote sustainable practices,” he stated.
He charged the Blue Water Guards to be diligent, emphasizing that they would be responsible for monitoring river health, identifying threats, reporting illegal activities, preventing pollution, and enforcing river protection laws in collaboration with security agencies.
The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, lauded the initiative, highlighting its importance in a region heavily impacted by illegal mining. He cited the shutdown of the Bonsa Water Treatment Plant in Tarkwa due to extreme pollution, stressing the urgent need for such interventions.
“The Western Region holds one of the three major water systems in the country and has the highest concentration of water pollution caused by illegal small-scale mining activities. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) was forced to shut down the Bonsa Water Treatment Plant, which produces 75% of potable water for Tarkwa and surrounding communities, after efforts to treat the heavily polluted water proved futile,” he explained.
He also warned of the cross-border implications of river pollution, noting that contaminated water flows into neighboring Ivory Coast, straining diplomatic relations between the two countries.
A Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, described the initiative as a critical step toward safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources.
Madam Constance Aning, Senior Water Management Officer at the Water Resources Commission’s Ankobra Basin office, also commended the program, expressing optimism that the Blue Water Guards would play a key role in addressing water pollution.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah called for a collective effort to ensure the initiative’s success, stating, “The success of the Blue Water Guards hinges on the support of every Ghanaian. This is not just a government initiative; it is a national call to action.”
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has committed to recruiting 2,000 River Guards nationwide in the coming weeks as part of efforts to protect the country’s water bodies.