Lands Minister launches Blue Water Initiative to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s rivers
At the launch of the Blue Water Initiative in Ezinlibo, located in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, delivered a speech on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
He highlighted the significance of the initiative in combating illegal mining activities.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah called on the recruits to understand the weight of their responsibility.
“You have been entrusted with the protection of our river bodies. Complacency or negligence is not an option in your role,” he emphasized.
He stressed that the importance of Ghana’s rivers is critical to the nation’s survival and progress. He reassured that the government is committed to taking all necessary actions to preserve these vital resources, ensuring the restoration of damaged rivers and safeguarding those that remain unaffected.
“Our rivers are not merely bodies of water; they are essential to the well-being of our communities. They provide drinking water, support agriculture, sustain fisheries, drive tourism, and enable transportation. Yet, the destructive actions of illegal miners are depriving us of these crucial resources. The Blue Water Initiative is our response—a comprehensive strategy to protect our water bodies and encourage sustainable practices,” he explained.
He also outlined the duties of the Blue Water Guards, urging them to approach their tasks with fairness and determination. “You will be responsible for monitoring the health of our rivers, identifying areas of concern, and reporting illegal activities for timely action. Your role includes preventing river pollution and enforcing relevant laws and regulations with the support of law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah urged for a united effort in tackling the issue of illegal mining. “The success of the Blue Water Guards depends on the support of every Ghanaian. This is not solely a government initiative; it’s a national call to action. We all must contribute to safeguarding our water resources. Today’s launch marks just the beginning. Over the coming weeks, the Ministry plans to recruit 2,000 River Guards across mining communities nationwide,” he emphasized.
The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, underscored the region’s critical role as the center of Ghana’s extractive industry and commended the Lands Minister for prioritizing the region in the pilot phase of the policy. He lamented the severe effects of illegal mining on water resources in the region, highlighting the closure of the Bonsa Water Treatment Plant in Tarkwa due to extreme pollution.
“The Western Region houses one of the country’s three main water systems and faces the highest levels of water contamination from illegal small-scale mining activities. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) had to shut down the Bonsa Water Treatment Plant, which supplies 75% of potable water to Tarkwa and surrounding areas, after attempts to treat the heavily polluted water failed,” he explained.
Mr. Nelson also pointed out the cross-border ramifications of the pollution, with contaminated water flowing into neighboring Ivory Coast, leading to tensions between the two nations. He commended the initiative as a timely and innovative solution to the problem and called for widespread support to ensure its success.
Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, highlighted that the program aligns with the Commission’s mission to sustainably regulate and manage Ghana’s mineral resources. He described the initiative as a vital step in protecting the country’s water bodies from the harmful effects of illegal mining.
Madam Constance Aning, Senior Water Management Officer at the Water Resources Commission’s Ankobra Basin office, also praised the initiative, calling it both timely and essential. Drawing from her own experiences, she emphasized the severe impact of illegal mining on rivers and streams in the Ankobra Basin and expressed confidence that the Blue Water Guards would play a crucial role in combating water pollution.
