Lands Minister Commissions 530 New River Guards to Combat Galamsey
Government launches second batch of 530 Blue Water Guards at Ezinlibo Naval Base to safeguard river bodies from illegal mining, signaling renewed commitment to the fight against galamsey.
- 530 Blue Water Guards commissioned
- Minister Armah-Kofi Buah reaffirms government’s resolve to combat galamsey
- Guards trained by Ghana Navy
In a major push to combat illegal mining and restore Ghana’s polluted river systems, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has commissioned 530 additional Blue Water Guards.
The ceremony, held at the Ezinlibo Naval Base in the Western Region, signals the government’s intensified effort to reclaim degraded water bodies and enforce environmental laws.
The Blue Water Guards, trained by the Ghana Navy’s Riverine Command, will monitor, report, and engage communities along vulnerable rivers. This is the second cohort following the initial deployment of 453 guards under the Blue Water Initiative launched in 2024.
Minister Buah urged the new recruits to serve with integrity and passion, stating that responsible mining will be encouraged while illegal operations are tackled head-on.
He also announced a forthcoming Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme aimed at offering legal, sustainable alternatives to small-scale miners.
With support from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and local communities, the government believes this initiative marks a turning point in the battle against galamsey.
