The government says its “Blue Water Guards” initiative is helping improve water quality in areas affected by illegal mining, as 452 new recruits graduated from the programme in the Western Region on Friday (16 May).
The latest batch brings the total number of trained and deployed personnel to about 2,071 nationwide, officials said.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said deployments were now active in more than 100 districts across eight regions, with early signs of improvement in water systems in some areas.
“Almost every district that we have deployed Blue Water Guards have witnessed improvement in our water systems,” Buah said at a graduation ceremony held at a Ghana Navy base in Ezinlibo.
The Blue Water Guards were introduced in March 2025 as part of government efforts to curb illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, which has severely polluted rivers and degraded forest reserves.
The new recruits will be tasked with patrolling rivers, monitoring illegal mining activities, identifying and reporting illegal sites, and supporting public education campaigns in affected communities, the minister said.
“Our gathering here today is not merely ceremonial. It is a bold declaration of our collective determination to defend the natural heritage of our country,” Buah said.
He urged the guards to carry out their duties with professionalism, integrity and patriotism, and called on communities to support the fight against illegal mining.
Authorities say illegal mining remains a major environmental challenge in Ghana, a top gold-producing country, where river pollution and land degradation have drawn widespread concern from environmental groups and policymakers.
The government has stepped up enforcement in recent years, deploying security personnel and special task forces alongside initiatives such as the Blue Water Guards to protect water bodies.
Officials say the programme is now operating across more than 100 districts, with expectations that expanded enforcement will further reduce illegal mining activities and improve environmental outcomes.
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