The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that more than 100 districts across eight regions have received deployments of the Blue Water Guards as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal mining.

According to the minister, these deployments are already yielding positive results, with significant reductions in illegal mining activities recorded in some affected areas.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony of the fourth cohort of 452 Blue Water Guards at the Ghana Navy’s Forward Operating Base at Ezinlibo in the Western Region, the minister noted that the latest batch brings the total number of deployed guards to 2,069 nationwide.

“Today, the Blue Water Guards have become one of the government’s strongest responses to the growing threats posed by illegal mining in our forests and streams. We are operating across more than eight regions and 100 districts affected by illegal mining,” he stated.

The government introduced the Blue Water Guards programme to protect the country's water bodies from pollution caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

The guards are tasked with monitoring river bodies, preventing illegal mining along water sources, and supporting security agencies in enforcing environmental protection laws.