In a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb on Thursday, May 22, 2025, the guards were seen swimming in a pool of water formed in a pit used for illegal mining operations, commonly referred to as galamsey.
The deployment comes shortly after the launch of the Blue Water River Guard training program by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
The initiative, a key module under the Blue Water Initiative, is aimed at restoring and protecting severely polluted water bodies in the country.
Under the program, 2,000 Ghanaian youth have been trained to protect water bodies across the country.
The first batch of 400 recruits were taken through intensive military style training conducted by the Ghana Navy Riverine Command, under the auspices of the Minerals Commission.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region on March 17, 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, underscored the urgency of the government’s intervention.
He emphasised that Ghana’s rivers are national lifelines that support drinking water, agriculture, fishing, transportation, and tourism, but are being rapidly destroyed by illegal mining.
“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”, the minister told the recruits.
He also described the Blue Water Initiative as a comprehensive strategy to combat galamsey and restore polluted water bodies.
Armah-Kofi Buah further assured that the government will provide all necessary support to ensure the success of the program and the recovery of Ghana’s natural ecosystems.
Watch the video below:
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
