The Blue Water Guard, an innovative module under the Blue Water Initiative, which will equip 2,000 Ghanaian youth with relevant skills and knowledge necessary to safeguard Ghana’s river bodies.
The first phase of the project would involve 400 young Ghanaian men and women, who would undergo rigorous training at the Ghana Navy Riverine Command under the auspices of the Minerals Commission.
The training would provide the participants with the expertise to combat illegal mining operations on river bodies.
At the launch of the initiative in Ezinlibo, Jomoro Municipality in the Western Region, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, emphasised the importance of the Blue Water initiative in the fight against illegal mining.
He urged the recruits to recognize the gravity of their responsibility, saying;“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 the importance of Ghana’s rivers could not be overstated, as they were vital to the nation’s survival and development and, thus, assured government’s commitment to take all necessary actions to protect these resources.
“We will ensure that the depleted rivers recover to their natural state while safeguarding unaffected ones.
“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,” Mr Armah-Kofi Buah noted.
The Blue Water Initiative is our response—a comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water bodies and promote sustainable practices,” the Minister stated.
He also outlined the responsibilities of the Blue Water Guards and charged them to be fair and firm in their duties.
“You will be responsible for monitoring the health of our rivers, identifying areas of concern, and reporting any illegal activities for timely interventions. You are expected to prevent pollution in our rivers and enforce laws and regulations related to river use, with the support of law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah also called for a collective effort to addressing the menace of illegal mining, noting that the success of the Blue Water Guards hinged on the support of every Ghanaian.
“This is not just a government initiative; it is a national call to action. We must all play our part in protecting our water resources. Today’s launch is only the first step. In the coming weeks, the Ministry is committed to recruiting 2,000 River Guards across mining communities nationwide,” the minister stated.
Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, highlighted the region’s significance as the hub of Ghana’s extractive industry and commended the lands minister for prioritizing the region in the pilot implementation of the policy.
He lamented the devastating impact of illegal mining on water sources in the region, citing the shutdown of the Bonsa Water Treatment Plant in Tarkwa due to heavy pollution.
“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.
Mr Nelson also noted the cross-border implications of the pollution, with contaminated water flowing into the neighbouring country and causing tensions between Ghana and its neighbouring countries.
He praised the initiative as a timely and innovative solution to address the issue and called for nationwide support to ensure its success.
GNA
