Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the minister of Lands and Natural Resources has clarified the role of the Water Guards in the fight against illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah on 17 March 2025 launched the Blue Water Initiative, an initiative part of the broader ‘Reset Ghana Agenda’.
The Blue Water Initiative aims to train 2,000 personnel across the country to monitor river health, identify illegal mining activities, and collaborate with local communities and traditional authorities to fight galamseyers destroying Ghana’s river bodies.
Reports suggest an initial 460 river guards to protect Ghana’s water bodies from illegal mining.
He however revealed that 2,000 guards will be deployed nationwide soon, intensifying efforts to combat environmental degradation.
According to the Land minister, the Water Guards are going to be the ears and eyes of the Security Forces.
He asserted that the Water Guard initiative was thought-out and in collaboration with the Ghana Navy and revealed that they are being trained by the Ghana Navy.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah detailed, “They are not soldiers, they are not police, they are not armed guards. They are being trained by the Ghana Navy. The Ghana Navy has a very clear plan. Let me say that this whole concept was really thought-out and in collaboration with the Ghana Navy.
“The plan is that they go through an intense one-month training, including swimming and other activities. The Ghana Navy don’t have the manpower to stretch themselves along the river banks. The people we have recruited are from the river banks, and community areas,” he stated.
The minister further explained, “They’re going to be the ears and eyes of the Navy and the Security Forces. They are also going to be an interface between the communities, and we’re creating a structure that allows coordination. We’re also creating community members who are empowered to also educate their own community areas,” “In the final analysis is the galamsey fight will be won not by guns but by own minds, willingness and our hearts”.
Meanwhile, veteran Broadcast journalist Dan Kweku Yeboah has boldly stated that the Water Guards can not stop illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
Dan Kweku Yeboah asserted that even Soldiers are being beaten and killed by galamseyers and what of the Water Guard.
According to him, most of the young men and women engaged to become Water Guards were jobless and are now getting work to do so they can be bribed easily by galamseyers.
Speaking on Peace FM, Dan Kweku Yeboah detailed, “My point is that this fight is not the fight of the water guard, even Soldiers are being beaten and killed what of the Water Guard. What are they going to do?
If a Chinese man is holding a gun you are a water guard with just your bare hands what can you do? Even apart from the ammunition financially they are very sound and these people taken as Water Guards most of them are jobless, they are now getting work to do”, he added.
Dan Kweku Yeboah further stated, “If they go and a Chinese gives them 500 dollars they will return back to their homes. This is serious, it is like taking Peace FM Watchman to go and protect the Bank of Ghana. The solution is that if it is given to the military high command after they have been cleared then we can engage these Water Gurads and give them a walkie-talkie to blow the whistle when they see something because they are not armed to fight galamsey”.
