The Minerals Commission, under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has deployed 10 Blue Water Guards to the Wassa Japa enclave in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality to promote sustainable mining and protect water bodies from illegal mining activities.
These personnel, specially trained by the Ghana Navy, are responsible for conducting surveillance patrols along riverbanks and reporting any illegal activities that threaten water bodies.
The Blue Water Guards will work closely with the military, police, national security, and district assemblies to combat illegal mining, especially those impacting rivers directly.
The operation is currently ongoing in the Western Region, with plans to deploy the guards to Prestea, Huni-Valley, and Simpa in the Prestea Huni-Valley and Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipalities.
At a community sensitisation forum in Japa, Mr. Steven Agbo, Social Scientist at the Minerals Commission, explained that the Blue Water Guards are a specialised team commissioned by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to protect water bodies and other natural resources from the environmental consequences of illegal mining.
He emphasised that their presence is not intended to harm anyone but to assist in tackling illegal mining along rivers.
Mr. Agbo warned that anyone who attacks or obstructs the Blue Water Guards in the performance of their duties would face the full rigour of the law.
He appealed to the Chief Executives of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies as well as Security Councils to ensure smooth coordination among security agencies at the local level to enhance the guards’ work.
He introduced the Blue Water Guards to stakeholders and urged them to be ethical and professional to achieve the government’s vision of protecting Ghana’s rivers.
Mr. Francis Annobil Junior, Western Regional Manager of the Minerals Commission, appealed to all stakeholders — including chiefs, traditional leaders, assembly members, unit committee members, religious leaders, and the public — to fully support the initiative.
He noted that their cooperation is essential to conserving natural resources and water bodies for future generations.
Community leaders, including Member of Parliament Mr. Nicholas Amankwah and Municipal Chief Executive Mr. Raymond Nana Ebbah, commended the Minerals Commission and the Ministry for the initiative and pledged their support.
Nana Kwabena Asare II, Chief of Assin Breku, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Wassa Japa, Nana Atta Baah, affirmed their commitment to safeguarding the lands and rivers.
The Minerals Commission team, alongside the Municipal Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, and other government officials, addressed concerns raised by small-scale miners and assured them that challenges affecting their operations would be resolved.
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