By Valentia Tetteh
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated 530 newly trained personnel under the government’s flagship Blue Water Initiative, urging them to remain steadfast in their mandate to safeguard Ghana’s precious water bodies from illegal mining activities.
Addressing the recruits at a ceremony held at the Ezinlibo Naval Base in the Western Region, the Minister described the event as a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to reclaim polluted rivers and protect communities from the destructive effects of galamsey.
“This is not just another ceremony,” Mr. Buah said, “but a moment of critical importance as we take steps to reclaim the purity of our rivers, restore hope to our communities, and renew our covenant with the land that sustains us all.”
The Blue Water Guards are at the frontline of the government’s multi-pronged strategy to curb illegal small-scale mining, particularly in water bodies. According to the Minister, the new recruits follow in the footsteps of the first cohort of 453 guards who, since their deployment, have made significant gains in combating illegal mining operations.
He warned, however, that the real enemy is not mining itself but the lawlessness that has overtaken the sector. “Mining is not the enemy. When done responsibly, it can uplift communities and drive development. The enemy is the lawlessness that has turned this sector into a threat,” he stressed.
The sector Minister praised the Ghana Navy for their ongoing collaboration, noting that the training provided by the Navy’s Riverine Command was vital to preparing the recruits for their roles, “together, we are on a journey to win this fight.”
He also outlined the specific roles the Blue Water Guards are expected to play, including:
· Monitoring and protecting water bodies from illegal mining activities.
· Enforcing the law without fear or favor.
· Engaging communities to promote local stewardship of water resources.
“You are not just guards; you are community vanguards, entrusted with a sacred duty,” the Minister told the recruits. “In the spirit of the Young Pioneers, I charge you to uphold this responsibility with courage and integrity.”
Support for the Guards will come from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS), which serves as the operational nerve center in the fight against illegal mining and its associated environmental degradation.
In addition to the deployment of Blue Water Guards, the government is set to launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program. This initiative will equip local miners with modern tools, skills, and legal frameworks to engage in sustainable mining, thereby offering an alternative to illegal practices that harm the environment.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister assured the Guards and the Ghanaian public of the government’s commitment to restoring the country’s rivers. “Be assured, the people of Ghana are behind you. Together, we will restore our rivers to their rightful state: clean, blue, and life-giving.”
One Response
Good joy
God bless you Hon