The government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has launched the Blue Water River Guard, an initiative aimed at training and empowering some 2,000 Ghanaian youth to protect the country’s rivers and ensure the restoration of their quality, which has been affected by illegal mining activities.
The Blue Water River Guard initiative, a module under the Blue Water Initiative, will see the government equip the youth with the skills and knowledge necessary for the adequate and timely protection of Ghana’s river bodies.
The first phase of the project will involve 400 young Ghanaian men and women undergoing rigorous training in swimming and other skills by the Ghana Navy Riverine Command to provide them with the expertise needed to deal with illegal mining operations on river bodies.
In a speech delivered on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the launch of the initiative in Ezinlibo, Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, underscored the importance of the River Guard initiative in the fight against illegal mining.
Shedding light on the significance of the initiative, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, urged the beneficiaries to recognize that the protection of the country’s river bodies is being entrusted to them and that they cannot afford to be complacent or irresponsible in the delivery of their duties.
He noted that the cruciality of Ghana’s rivers cannot be quantified, and therefore, any action necessary for their protection against illegal mining activities will be instituted by the government to ensure that depleted river bodies recover their natural state while unaffected ones are safeguarded.
“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. The Blue Water Initiative is our response, a comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water bodies and promote sustainable practices.
“Now, to our River Guards, you are the pioneers of this program. We intend to train 2,000 across this country this year. I am so proud to have begun the program in our beloved Western Region, and we intend to cover communities along our major polluted rivers.
“To our River Guards, this is your charge! We are entrusting the safety of our water bodies to you,” he said.
He also enumerated the responsibilities and obligations of the River Guards, charging them to be fair and firm in the discharge of 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 work to prevent pollution in our rivers, enforcing laws and regulations related to river use with the support of our law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The Ellembelle MP also used the platform to once again call for an all-hands-on-deck approach in dealing with the menace of illegal mining.
He stated that while initiatives like the River Guard system are important, the chances of completely eradicating the menace rely heavily on the participation of all Ghanaians.
“The success of the River Guards hinges 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 all over the country,” he noted.
On his part, the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, stated that with the region’s reputation as the hub of Ghana’s extractive industry, it was only right and imperative that the Blue Water Guard initiative was started from the region. He thus, commended the Lands for prioritizing the region in the implementation of the policy.
He lamented how illegal mining activities have affected safe water delivery in the region and vowed to work with the lands ministry to nip it in the bud.
“The western region holds one of the three water systems in the country and has the highest concentration of water polluted by illegal small-scale mining activities. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has had to shut down its Bonsa Water Treatment site in Tarkwa due to heavy pollution of the water bodies due to illegal mining activities. This plant, which produces 75% of potable water for Tarkwa and the surrounding communities, was forced to shut down operations after efforts to treat the heavily polluted water were practically impossible.
“Another effect of this canker is the overflow of polluted water to neighboring Ivory Coast, causing agitation between both countries. It was therefore imperative that the sector minister, Hon Armah-Kofi Buah, under the leadership of President Mahama, launched innovative and genius solutions to address this issue and to pilot them in the Western Region.
“I want to commend Hon. Buah for the swift call-to-action taken and to urge all Ghanaians to rally behind and provide him with the necessary support to tackle this fight successfully,” he said.
The Deputy CEO of Minerals Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, stated that the program, aimed at protecting Ghana’s water bodies from the devastating effects of illegal mining, aligns perfectly with the Commission’s mandate and core values.
He said the Commission’s primary responsibility is to regulate and manage the utilization of Ghana’s mineral resources, ensuring sustainable development.
Madam Constance Aning, Senior Water Management Officer at the Water Resources Commission’s Ankobra Basin office, hailed the River Guards initiative as a crucial step in combating water pollution.
She further described the initiative as “both timely and critical,” drawing from her firsthand experience witnessing the devastating impact of illegal mining on rivers and streams in the Ankobra Basin.
