The Minerals Commission, under the auspices of 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 safeguard water bodies from the activities of illegal miners.
These personnel have received special training from the Ghana Navy and are responsible for mounting surveillance patrols of the riverbanks and reporting any illegal activities that pose a threat to water bodies.
The Blue Water Guards are expected to collaborate closely with the military, police, national security, and district assemblies to combat illegal mining activities, particularly those directly affecting rivers.
The exercise is currently underway in the Western Region, with plans to deploy the Water 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 the water bodies and other related resources environment consequences from the environmental consequences of illegal mining.
He emphasised that their presence was not intended to harm anyone but rather to assist in tackling illegal mining activities in and along the river bodies.
Mr. Agbo warned that anyone who attacked or obstructed the Blue Water Guards in the execution of their duties would face the full rigour of the law.
He appealed to the Chief Executives of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and the Security Councils to ensure smooth coordination among security agencies at the local level to enhance the work of the Blue Water Guards.
He introduced the Blue Water Guards to the stakeholders and admonished them to be ethical and professional in their work to achieve the government’s vision of protecting the rivers in Ghana.
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 endorse the initiative.
He noted that their cooperation was necessary to conserve natural resources and water bodies for future generations.
The leadership of the community, 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, on behalf of the Chief of Wassa Japa, Nana Atta Baah, assured the Minerals Commission and affirmed their commitment to safeguarding the lands and rivers.
The Minerals Commission team, the Municipal Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, and other government delegation addressed concerns raised by the small-scale miners and gave assurance of resolving challenges affecting their operation.
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