The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged the newly graduated Blue Water Guards to take the lead in protecting Ghana’s rivers and streams from pollution and illegal mining activities.
This statement was made during the passing-out ceremony of the third batch of the Blue Water Guard Initiative, held at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ezinlibo, in the Jomoro District of the Western Region. A total of 636 recruits successfully completed their training.
The Minister urged the graduates to see their deployment as a national duty, describing them as vanguards entrusted with safeguarding Ghana’s water bodies for the benefit of both present and future generations.
He explained that the Blue Water Guard Initiative was established to help “turn Ghana’s waters blue” through community participation and youth empowerment.
“So far, about 1,700 Blue Water Guards have been trained across nearly seven regions of the country to turn our waters blue. We started it in Western North and Savannah, and today I am proud that we have Ashanti and Eastern Regions in support of water in the Upper West.”
“We’re on a course to ensure that, as we described them, a Vanguard of our water bodies, who embodies the spirit of young pioneers called to do something greater than themselves.
“We selected you from the communities in these revered areas and are sending you back as Vanguards, intelligence officers, champions, and educators of your community.
“Your message to your friends is that we put our lives on the line to make our waters blue for the next generation,” he urged.
In addition, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, commended both the President and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for their foresight in establishing the initiative.
He urged the graduates to conduct themselves as disciplined patriots, emphasising integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law.
