453 Trainees Graduate as Blue Water Guards at Ezinlibo Under Government’s Blue Water Initiative

April 14, 2025, The Western Naval Command hosted the graduation ceremony for the first batch of the Blue Water Guards at Ezinlibo in the Western Region. This marked the successful completion of the first batch of the guards under the Blue Water Guard Initiative under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Minerals Commission.

The sector Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), conducted an inspection of the parade mounted in his honour. The Minister stated that the dexterity and spectacular display during the drills by the recruits indicated the level of discipline they had acquired during the four-week training at the Naval Base. He highlighted that the trainees had been drawn from the catchment areas of the riverine communities and have been equipped with essential skills including physical endurance, basic arms handling, combat techniques, survival swimming, watermanship, and boat operations. The Minister admonished them to be the eyes, ears, and frontline defenders of their communities and urged them not to fail in this fight against the wanton destruction of our water bodies, on which our very lives depend.

The Minister warned illegal miners, saying, “I would like to serve a caution to the perpetrators of this dastardly act to stop. Especially, the financiers and faceless individuals engaging in galamsey on our river bodies. Culprits shall be dealt with severely. I respectfully implore each and every Ghanaian to be a Water Guard Volunteer or ambassador in your communities.”

Hon. Buah commended the Naval Base Commanders for the rigorous selection process, and equipping the recruits with relevant skills. He also highlighted a gamut of measures to be rolled out by the Ministry to tackle the menace of galamsey. “To strengthen this initiative, additional speedboats, patrol vehicles, and motorbikes will be procured, enabling the extension of the Blue Water Guards program to the Central, Eastern, Ashanti, Bono, and Savannah regions. Beyond safeguarding our environment, this initiative will create 2,000 direct jobs, empowering Ghanaians while securing our natural heritage,” Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah opined.

The Minister intimated that Ghana generated approximately $4.6 billion from small-scale gold exports in 2024, highlighting the need to expand operations into medium and large-scale mining ventures. He said the Ghana Navy has established Temporary Operation Bases (TOBs) along major rivers in the Western Region, such as Ankobra, Fia, Bonsa, and Downstream Pra, to serve as an immediate and rapid response force to deal with miscreants on the rivers. “You will operate in teams strategically positioned along designated sectors for effective command and control. Daily situational reports, weekly summaries, and quarterly evaluations will be channeled through the Ghana Navy to the Minerals Commission and the Ministry, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement,” he admonished the graduands.

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), emphasized the critical role of fish in providing 60% of animal protein for citizens and its significance in livelihoods. She raised concerns about the increasing depletion of fish stocks in the sea and ocean and the loss of indigenous fish stock, stressing the need for clean water for aquaculture as part of the government’s initiative. Hon. Arthur urged the recruits to perform their duties with integrity, avoid bribery, and protect water bodies, becoming ambassadors for the President’s resetting agenda. “Go and do a good job, don’t accept bribes, and become part of the problem. Go and protect the water bodies and become ambassadors for resetting Ghana,” she admonished.

In his closing remarks, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Paramount Chief of Lower Axim, thanked everyone for their support and expressed his pride in serving as Chairman for the momentous occasion. He urged the trainees to be faithful to their mandate of protecting water bodies and becoming good stewards for Ghana.