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Lands Minister Commissions 530 Blue Water Guards at Ezinlibo, Western Region
Friday, July 25, 2025 – In a bold step toward preserving Ghana’s water bodies and combating illegal mining, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), commissioned 530 new Blue Water Guards. The colorful ceremony was held at the Western Naval Command in Ezinlibo, marking the graduation of the second cohort under the government’s flagship Blue Water Initiative.
This latest cohort brings the total number of trained guards to 983, with 453 graduating in Phase 1 and the current 530 in Phase 2. The initiative aims to train a total of 2,000 guards as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal mining.
The initiative, a joint effort between the Ministry and the Minerals Commission aims to safeguard Ghana’s rivers and lakes from environmental degradation, particularly from illegal mining activities. The Commission was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, Deputy CEO, Support Services.
Commander Samuel Kwaku Boateng-Asiedu, the Acting Naval Base Commander at Ezinlibo, provided an overview of the rigorous, three-phase training program. The initial phase focused on essential drills, first aid techniques, and basic fitness and endurance. Phases two and three advanced to include swimming, basic boat handling, evidence collection, survival techniques, assault river crossing, search and cordon techniques, and practical exercises. These modules have equipped the trainees with the necessary skills for effective riverine operations and intelligence gathering. Commander Boateng-Asiedu also highlighted a beach cleanup undertaken by the recruits, emphasizing its role in instilling patriotism.
Expressing confidence in the new guards’ abilities, Commander Boateng-Asiedu urged them to be prepared for the demanding tasks ahead. He stressed the paramount importance of integrity, instructing graduates to avoid any acts of corruption and eschew all unlawful activities.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), praised the recruits for their discipline and resilience throughout the intensive four-week training programme. “These graduands are not just guards—they are the eyes, ears, and frontline defenders of our communities,” Minister Buah declared. “They are the vanguard in our fight against the wanton destruction of our water bodies, on which our very lives depend.”
Hon. Buah underscored the critical importance of protecting Ghana’s water bodies, which are vital for drinking water, agriculture, and livelihoods, but are currently being severely polluted by illegal mining. He clarified, “Mining is not the enemy; the enemy is the lawlessness that has turned this sector into a threat.”
The Minister explained that the Blue Water Initiative is a comprehensive strategy designed to rescue the rivers and enforce sustainable practices. The 530 new recruits, drawn from the Savannah, Western North, and Upper West Regions, will be responsible for monitoring and protecting rivers, enforcing environmental laws, and engaging with local communities to promote responsible water resource stewardship.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah charged the new recruits to uphold their responsibilities with courage and integrity, reiterating that they are not merely guards but “community vanguards entrusted with a sacred duty.” He invoked the spirit of the “Young Pioneers,” urging them to embody this commitment. He also highlighted the government’s dedication to supporting the guards and local communities, including the upcoming Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, which aims to empower local miners with legal and sustainable alternatives.
The Minister appealed to all Ghanaians for their support, stating, “Blue Water Guards, be assured, the people of Ghana are behind you, and together, we will restore our rivers to their rightful state: clean, blue, and life-giving. We are proud of your commitment during training, and we expect nothing less than your best in the field.”
Hon. Buah further commended other state entities, including the Ministry of Defence, National Security, and the Environmental Protection Authority, for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the initiative’s success. He specifically acknowledged Colonel Dominic Buah, Director of Operations, National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS), which serves as the operational nerve-center for Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining and its associated environmental degradation, particularly in water bodies where the guards’ work will be focused.
Addressing the graduands, Hon. Buah explained that the guards will be deployed in strategically positioned teams along designated sections of the river bodies to ensure effective command and control. He emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency, stating, “Your daily situational reports, weekly summaries, and quarterly evaluations will be channeled through the Ghana Navy to the Minerals Commission and the Ministry.”
As Ghana continues to grapple with the environmental and economic consequences of illegal mining, the commissioning of these 530 Blue Water Guards signifies a renewed and robust commitment to sustainable resource management and national development.
Present at the ceremony were Hon. Yusif Sulemana (MP), Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources; Prof. Samuel Jerry Yaw Kuma, Advisor to the Lands Minister; Commodore Samuel Ayelazonu, Flag Officer, Commanding the Western Naval Command; and Naval Staff Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing. Other notable dignitaries included Nana Koloro Blay IV, Chief of Ezinlibo, and Nana Ehwie Kwasi II, Chief of Allowule.
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