The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that more than 100 districts across eight regions have now received deployments of the Blue Water Guards as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal mining in the country.
According to the Minister, the deployments are already yielding positive results, with significant reductions in illegal mining activities being recorded in some affected areas.
Speaking at the passing-out ceremony of the fourth cohort of 452 Blue Water Guards at the Ghana Navy’s Forward Operating Base at Ezinlibo in the Western Region, the Minister said the latest batch brings the total number of deployed guards to 2,069 nationwide.
“Today, the Blue Water Guards have become one of the government’s strongest responses to the growing threats posed by illegal mining in our forests and streams. We are operating across more than eight regions and 100 districts affected by illegal mining,” he stated.
The Blue Water Guards programme was introduced by the government to help protect the country’s water bodies from pollution caused by illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.
The guards are tasked with monitoring river bodies, preventing illegal mining activities along water sources, and supporting security agencies in enforcing environmental protection laws.
