The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has strengthened the operational capacity of the Blue Water Guards in Ghana’s Savannah and Upper West Regions by providing 11 Yamaha motorbikes to aid in combating illegal mining and other environmental offenses.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, Yussif Sulemana, highlighted that the new motorbikes would greatly enhance the mobility and efficiency of the Blue Water Guards, enabling them to better protect Ghana’s rivers and water bodies from the devastating impacts of galamsey activities. He emphasized that the pollution of rivers and streams has become a pressing national issue, depriving many communities of access to safe drinking water and posing severe risks to public health and livelihoods.
“We are committed to restoring the cleanliness of our water bodies and the greenness of our forest reserves. We inherited a very challenging situation, but the President is determined to ensure that our rivers and forests are safeguarded for the benefit of future generations,” Mr. Sulemana stated.
The officers who received the motorbikes expressed sincere appreciation to the Ministry and pledged to use the equipment solely for its intended purpose in the fight against illegal mining. At the same time, they appealed for additional resources, including boats and life jackets, to further strengthen their operations on the water.
“We are many, and it is not easy when we go for operations. We urge the government to provide more motorbikes and logistical support to help us effectively protect our water bodies,” said Kunde Kipo, a member of the Blue Water Guards.
The provision of these motorbikes is part of broader efforts by the government to restore environmental integrity, safeguard water resources, and ensure sustainable development in regions affected by illegal mining.
