The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has commissioned the third batch of 636 Blue Water Guards as part of the government’s continuous efforts to combat illegal mining.

The new recruits will be deployed to the Central, Ashanti and Eastern Regions, as well as other flashpoints where illegal mining is most prevalent.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony in Jomoro on Saturday, December 20, the Minister stated that the third cohort will continue to complement the security agencies in the national fight against galamsey.

According to him, the war on environmental destruction remains a top priority for the state, and government will therefore continue to roll out measures to stem the tide.

The Minister added that although there have been significant successes in the ongoing fight, there is still more work to be done.

He therefore charged the newly commissioned Blue Water Guards to be dedicated and patriotic in the discharge of their duties and ato void any form of compromise.

Speaking at the event at the Ezinlibo Naval Base, the Ashanti Regional Minister, who graced the occasion, also pledged his support and stressed that his outfit will continue to back the Lands Minister in the government’s quest to make galamsey a thing of the past.

He said the fight against galamsey is not an attack on livelihoods and urged all Ghanaians to embrace the government’s responsible mining programmes.

Addressing the media after the event, the Media Relations Officer at the Lands Ministry, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, said the Blue Water Guards have been actively supporting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in nationwide operations.

He noted that the daily provision of intelligence by the Blue Water Guards has been instrumental in the success of NAIMOS operations, he told Channel One News anchor, Charles Kumi.

So far, over 1,600 Blue Water Guards have been trained and deployed across various flashpoints, with more personnel expected to be recruited by the government.

Government believes the initiative will aid in the restoration of polluted water bodies that have lost their colour and purity to unchecked illegal mining activities.