The warning was issued during the official reception of the Blue Water Guards at New Edubiase in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region.

The event was attended by the District Chief Executive (DCE), traditional leaders and officials of the Minerals Commission.

Speaking to Adom News, Nana Adwoa Foriwah, said the president’s confidence in her role comes with responsibility, and she is determined to justify that trust through firm action against illegal mining.

She stressed that the district would not relent in safeguarding its rivers and forest reserves, adding that water bodies in the area must be preserved for present and future generations.

Nana Adwoa Foriwah further encouraged the Blue Water Guards to carry out their duties with integrity, reminding them that national interest must always come before personal gain. She assured them that dedication and honesty would not go unnoticed.

Meanwhile, the Adansi South DCE, Oheneba Kwabena Ando, said major rivers in the district, including the Offin, Anum and Pra, have suffered severe pollution due to sustained illegal mining activities.

He noted that the district’s rich gold deposits continue to attract illegal miners, making the task of the Blue Water Guards even more critical.

He therefore urged them not to lose sight of their mission; despite the challenges they may face.

The Blue Water Guards are part of government efforts to curb illegal mining and restore polluted water bodies across the country, working alongside district authorities and security agencies to enforce mining regulations.

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The new recruits will be deployed to the Central, Ashanti and Eastern Regions, as well as other flashpoints where illegal mining is most prevalent.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony in Jomoro on Saturday, December 20, the Minister stated that the third cohort will continue to complement the security agencies in the national fight against galamsey.

According to him, the war on environmental destruction remains a top priority for the state, and government will therefore continue to roll out measures to stem the tide.

The Minister added that although there have been significant successes in the ongoing fight, there is still more work to be done.

He therefore charged the newly commissioned Blue Water Guards to be dedicated and patriotic in the discharge of their duties and ato void any form of compromise.

Speaking at the event at the Ezinlibo Naval Base, the Ashanti Regional Minister, who graced the occasion, also pledged his support and stressed that his outfit will continue to back the Lands Minister in the government’s quest to make galamsey a thing of the past.

He said the fight against galamsey is not an attack on livelihoods and urged all Ghanaians to embrace the government’s responsible mining programmes.

Addressing the media after the event, the Media Relations Officer at the Lands Ministry, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, said the Blue Water Guards have been actively supporting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in nationwide operations.

He noted that the daily provision of intelligence by the Blue Water Guards has been instrumental in the success of NAIMOS operations, he told Channel One News anchor, Charles Kumi.

So far, over 1,600 Blue Water Guards have been trained and deployed across various flashpoints, with more personnel expected to be recruited by the government.

Government believes the initiative will aid in the restoration of polluted water bodies that have lost their colour and purity to unchecked illegal mining activities.

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The enforcement exercise, carried out on Friday, November 21, 2025, formed part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities that continue to pollute water bodies and endanger local ecosystems.

Commander of the Bogoso Blue Water Guards, Allan Acheampong, who led the operation, cautioned individuals engaged in river mining to stop immediately, stressing that the group remains committed to safeguarding Ghana’s water resources.

“You can’t even get a single fish from the river due to the activities of galamsey. We have set five changfan machines ablaze. We are warning all those mining on the river to stop,” Acheampong said, noting that the destruction of the equipment sends a strong signal that illegal operations on water bodies will not be tolerated.

He appealed to authorities for additional logistical support, including life jackets and speed boats, to improve the safety and effectiveness of future patrols.

The River Ankobra has suffered severe degradation in recent years due to illegal mining, prompting intensified monitoring and community-led operations aimed at reversing the environmental damage.

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Acting on intelligence, the guards moved into action at a site known as “Amponsah” in the Himan community.

Despite the escape of the suspects, the team managed to seize eight pumping machines and destroyed eight chanfang machines. Three other chanfangs sank in the river during the operation. No casualties were recorded.

The seized equipment has been transported to the police station, while investigations and a manhunt for the fleeing miners are ongoing.

This latest intervention adds to the growing list of successful operations by the Prestea Blue Water Guards since the nationwide initiative was launched in March this year.

So far, the initiative has contributed significantly to the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has praised the operations of the Blue Water Guards, describing them as a key component in its broader strategy to protect Ghana’s water bodies and rehabilitate degraded lands.

Source: Adomonline.com

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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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