As part of the government’s resetting agenda, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, has launched the Blue River Initiative with 460 newly recruited River Guards. This initiative is part of President John Dramani Mahama’s innovative solution to combat illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, in the country.
The initiative is part of a comprehensive programme designed to rehabilitate Ghana’s polluted water bodies and safeguard the environment, with River Guards serving as frontline defenders of the rivers to ensure that water resources remain a source of livelihood for generations to come.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, launched the one-month Blue River Initiative, an intensive training programme for 460 River Guards at the Naval Base at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality. He mentioned that 2,000 such River Guards would be trained by the end of 2025.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that the government is ready to support every Ghanaian who is prepared to mine for gold in a legal and environmentally sustainable manner. He stated that the environmental challenges confronting the nation have dire consequences for both citizens and future generations and must be addressed promptly.
“Our once cherished forest and river bodies, which should be vibrant symbols of our natural pride and prosperity, are under unprecedented siege, with 48 out of the 280 forest reserves destroyed by galamsey,” he said.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah noted that while the small-scale mining sector holds tremendous potential for sustainable economic growth, it is instead marred by rampant illegality that undermines the very foundation of society. He highlighted the far-reaching and devastating consequences of illegal mining, including toxic rivers, vanishing biodiversity, food shortages, climate destruction, and a crippling public health emergency, which all demand urgent action.
He explained that the main focus of the River Guards will be monitoring river health by identifying areas of concern and reporting illegal activities for timely intervention.
“Their commitment to safeguarding the ecological heritage embodies the spirit of our freedom in the young pioneer movement, where individuals selflessly defended our motherland,” he said.
The Minister added that the guards “will assist established institutions to fight and prevent pollution by collaborating with communities, traditional authorities, and stakeholders to ensure the success of this vital initiative.”
He further noted that the high level of turbidity in river bodies calls for a concerted effort to clamp down on galamsey activities to ensure future survival.
In collaboration with the Ghana Navy, the initiative will expand to the Western-North Region, Ashanti Region, and other areas where major river bodies are under threat.
In the coming week, President John Dramani Mahama will launch the Tree for Life initiative to tackle issues affecting forest reserves. The Ministry will also announce major revisions to the moratorium on issuing mining licenses, with a complete review of the licensing regime to decentralize the process and bring greater transparency.
The new regime will involve chiefs and landowners as custodians in the licensing process, and community mining will be carried out by members of the community, not foreigners.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah charged the River Guards to be the first responders in saving the soul of the country by discharging their duties with unwavering dedication, tact, discipline, and uncompromising integrity.
The Paramount Chief of the Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Agyevi Kwame, who chaired the function, lauded the Minister and the government for the bold initiatives taken to clamp down on galamsey activities in the country.
He expressed concern about the threat to the survival of Ghanaians due to the wanton pollution of river bodies, degradation of lands, and destruction of forest reserves and ecosystems.
Awulae Agyevi Kwame pledged his support to the government’s fight against galamsey.
By Kodwo Nyamekh
