The Adaklu District Assembly has commissioned 31 Blue Water Guards to help safeguard rivers and other water bodies from pollution and environmental degradation. 

The initiative forms part of proactive measures to protect natural resources and prevent the infiltration of illegal mining activities in the area.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Jerry Ameko, expressed gratitude to stakeholders and participants who made the programme possible.

He noted that the Blue Water Guards had undergone months of training to equip them with the skills needed to monitor and protect water bodies within the district.

Mr Ameko described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a growing canker that has devastated many communities across the country. Although the menace is not prevalent in Adaklu, he stressed the need for preventive action to ensure it does not take root in the district.

“Prevention is always better than cure,” he stated, explaining that the deployment of the 31 young men and women is intended to act as a deterrent to individuals who may attempt to engage in illegal mining or other harmful activities around rivers and streams.

The Blue Water Guards are expected to monitor activities such as indiscriminate tree felling along riverbanks, the dumping of foreign and poisonous materials into water bodies, and the introduction of waste that could endanger human life.

They will also help check practices that pollute water sources relied upon by communities for drinking, farming, and other domestic uses.

The DCE acknowledged the support of government agencies that facilitated the training and commissioning exercise.

Representatives from the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources were present at the event to show their commitment to preserving Ghana’s natural resources.

Mr Ameko further appealed to chiefs, youth groups, and residents in the district to collaborate with the Blue Water Guards in carrying out their duties. He emphasised that protecting water bodies is a shared responsibility and called for collective vigilance to prevent environmental destruction.

He warned that while illegal mining may not currently be a major problem in Adaklu, other forms of environmental degradation pose serious threats.

He urged the public to support the newly commissioned guards to ensure that the district’s water bodies remain clean, safe, and sustainable for present and future generations.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, on his part said although the Volta Region is not currently a hotspot for illegal mining, we cannot afford to wait for destruction before we act. 

“This initiative is a preventive measure to guard against illegal mining, unchecked sand winning along our riverbanks, indiscriminate cutting of trees near water bodies, and the pollution of rivers that serve as sources of drinking water for our people, livestock, and aquatic life,” he explained.

He congratulated the 31 young men and women and charged them to serve with discipline, integrity, and vigilance. Adding that, they have been entrusted with a critical responsibility to protect our environment for present and future generations.

He emphasised that protecting water bodies is a shared responsibility.

“Together, we will preserve the Volta Region’s environment and secure a healthier future for our people,” he said.