The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced the imminent launch of a new initiative dubbed the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, designed to provide legal, sustainable alternatives for small-scale miners across Ghana.

The programme, which will be rolled out as part of government’s broader anti-illegal mining campaign, is expected to equip local miners with modern tools, practical training, and cooperative frameworks to mine responsibly without compromising the environment.

Hon. Buah made the announcement on Thursday, July 25, 2025, at the Ezinlibo Naval Base in the Western Region during the official inauguration of the second batch of the Blue Water Guards, specialised personnel trained to protect Ghana’s water bodies from illegal mining pollution.

"This is only one part of our strategy,” the Minister declared. “Soon, we will launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme to empower local miners with legal, sustainable alternatives.”

He explained that the initiative is geared toward transforming the small-scale mining sector from a source of destruction into a catalyst for inclusive development.

“This programme will provide training, modern equipment, and cooperative frameworks to ensure mining benefits communities without destroying our environment.”

The Minister used the occasion to highlight the devastating consequences of illegal mining (galamsey), especially on Ghana’s rivers, which he described as “once vibrant lifelines for drinking water, agriculture, and livelihoods” now turned “thick with pollution.” He lamented that treatment plants in parts of the Western and Central Regions had been forced to shut down due to contaminated water bodies, posing a dire threat to public health and economic stability.

“The very resources that should fuel our prosperity are being plundered, leaving behind environmental degradation, health crises, and economic loss,” he said.

However, Hon. Buah stressed that the government is not against mining as a practice, but rather the lawlessness that has engulfed the sector.

“Mining is not the enemy. When done responsibly, it can uplift communities and drive development. The enemy is the lawlessness that has turned this sector into a threat.”

He commended President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership under which the Blue Water Initiative was launched. The initiative is a coordinated, multi-agency approach involving the Ghana Navy, Minerals Commission, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and community stakeholders to reclaim polluted rivers and enforce environmental standards.

The Blue Water Guards, central to the initiative, are trained personnel deployed to monitor, report, and prevent illegal mining operations, particularly along riverbanks. The first cohort of 453 officers was deployed earlier this year, and the Minister says their "vigilance has led to measurable progress" in the fight against galamsey.

“Today, we inaugurate the 530 members of the second cohort of the Blue Water Guards, the frontline defenders in this critical mission… Their impact has been tremendous.”

He urged the newly deployed guards to approach their duties with discipline and patriotism.

“You are not just guards; you are community vanguards entrusted with a sacred duty. Be the eyes and ears of our rivers, report violations, hold polluters accountable without fear or favour, and work hand-in-hand with locals to foster stewardship of our water resources.”

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to winning the galamsey fight, stating that all stakeholders, especially communities, must be involved in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.

“Together, we will restore our rivers to their rightful state: clean, blue, and life-giving.”

The Blue Water Initiative is a strategic response to years of environmental devastation from illegal mining, with the goal of restoring degraded river systems, enforcing mining regulations, and building a culture of environmental responsibility across Ghana.