The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced the launch of Phase II of the Blue Water Initiative, with a renewed focus on de-chemicalising polluted water bodies across the country.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, revealed that the next phase of the initiative will target the removal of harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide from rivers and streams contaminated by illegal mining activities.
“The second phase of the Blue Water Initiative will focus on de-chemicalising the water bodies to restore them to their pristine conditions. Feasibility studies are steadily underway,” he said.
Launched within the first 120 days of the new administration, the Blue Water Initiative has become a cornerstone of the government’s environmental recovery agenda, aimed at protecting and restoring Ghana’s freshwater ecosystems.
Armah-Kofi Buah disclosed that the government aims to train 2,000 personnel by the end of the year under the Blue Water Guard program.
“Unlike traditional security deployments, the Blue Water Guards operate using a non-confrontational strategy,” he explained.
So far, 980 officers have completed training, with an additional 530 recruits set to graduate on Friday, July 25.
These guards serve as environmental intelligence officers, working closely with communities to raise awareness, monitor water bodies, and report illegal mining activities.
“They act as intelligence officers and also engage with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and the negative impacts of illegal mining,” the Minister added.
