Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced a major milestone in the government’s Blue Water Initiative, aimed at protecting Ghana’s rivers and water bodies from the destructive impact of illegal mining.
Speaking ahead of a graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday, July 25, the Minister disclosed that 530 new personnel are set to complete their training as Blue Water guards. This comes on top of 450 others who have already been trained and deployed across the country. According to him, the initiative targets the training of 2,000 environmental protection officers by the end of the year.
“These personnel are specially trained not to engage in confrontational tactics,” he noted. “Rather, their focus is on intelligence gathering, public sensitization, and supporting communities to understand the long-term dangers of illegal mining on water resources.”
The Blue Water guards operate with a mandate to engage local residents and miners alike, using education and dialogue to foster behavioral change. The Minister explained that the aim is to build trust with communities and ensure that conservation efforts are sustainable and widely accepted.
He added that the initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to secure the country’s freshwater sources, especially those under threat from galamsey activities.
Hon. Buah also revealed that the program is now entering a critical second phase, which will focus on restoring already polluted rivers and streams. He said feasibility studies are currently ongoing to explore the best chemical treatment options for contaminated water bodies.
“This is a comprehensive plan,” the Minister said. “We are not only preventing further destruction but also taking practical steps to heal the damage already done. This includes scientific restoration processes to reclaim our rivers and make them safe for human use again.”
The Blue Water Initiative, he stressed, is an innovative and people-centered response to one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges. He praised the collaboration between the Ministry, traditional leaders, and local communities in ensuring the success of the project.
“As we graduate this next batch of officers, we’re not just deploying boots on the ground,” he stated. “We’re sending out a new kind of environmental soldier—one who leads with knowledge, engagement, and a deep commitment to national duty.”
He concluded by calling on all Ghanaians to support the effort, emphasizing that the health of the nation’s water resources depends on collective responsibility.
By Bawa Musah
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