Accra: A total of 539 Blue Water Guards with the core mandate to help protect the country's forests and water bodies from illegal mining (galamsey) activities have been commissioned by the Minerals Commission in the Western North Region. Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, Western North Regional Minister, speaking during the ceremony, charged the Blue Water Guards to discharge their duties with dedication, integrity, professionalism, and patriotism devoid of bribery and corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Western North Region had not been spared of the galamsey menace, which had rendered water bodies and forest reserves severely damaged. Mr Brentum tasked the guards to help manage the situation, urging them not to fail the region and the country. He also pledged the Regional Coordinating Council's full support and that of the police service to achieve the desired results.
Mr Dela Edem Awuvey, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Minerals Commission, stressed the essence of the Blue Water Guards in complementing the work of the various security agencies in the fight against the menace. He stated that they would serve as whistleblowers in consultation with the police. He also cautioned them to avoid taking money from illegal miners to compromise their work, adding that such acts were punishable by the law.
Mr Robert Aduhene, on behalf of the Blue Water Guards, thanked the government for the opportunity given to the youth and pledged to work diligently to champion the President's agenda of protecting the country's environment and water bodies from destruction.
