A total of 452 Blue Water Guard trainees successfully passed out at a colourful parade held at Naval Base Ezinlibo on Friday, 15 May 2026, after completing a four-week intensive training programme aimed at combating illegal mining activities along the country’s water bodies.
Delivering an overview of the training, the Base Commander, Commander Samuel Boateng Asiedu, stated that the programme was designed to equip trainees with the requisite knowledge and practical skills to support efforts aimed at preventing further pollution of rivers and restoring already polluted water bodies caused by illegal mining activities.
He explained that the training was conducted in three phases. The first phase focused on drills, physical fitness and first aid techniques to physically prepare the trainees for their duties. The second phase covered swimming, basic boat handling and maintenance, voice procedure communication, cordon and search techniques, evidence collection and survival skills, while the final phase involved an assault river crossing exercise to test the trainees’ operational readiness.
Commander Samuel Boateng Asiedu urged the trainees to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training professionally and diligently in the discharge of their duties. He also cautioned them against the use of unprescribed uniforms and operational gear during operations.
In his remarks, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who was the Special Guest of Honour, underscored the importance of the Blue Water Guards initiative, describing it as one of the strongest responses to the growing threat posed by illegal mining activities on the country’s rivers and streams. He disclosed that about 1,617 trained Blue Water Guards have so far been deployed across eight regions and nearly one hundred districts affected by illegal mining activities, including the Western, Western North, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Volta, Savannah and Upper East Regions.
The Minister further reminded the newly passed-out trainees of their responsibilities, which include conducting routine patrols along major rivers and tributaries, monitoring illegal mining activities, identifying and reporting illegal mining sites, confiscating illegal mining equipment, and undertaking public education and community sensitisation.
He commended the trainees for their dedication and patriotism throughout the training period and called on all Ghanaians to support the fight against illegal mining to protect the country’s water bodies for present and future generations.
Present at the ceremony were the Chief of Ezinlibo and Chairman for the occasion, Nana Krah Blay IV, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Logistics Command (NAVLOC), Commodore Eric Osei, representatives from the Minerals Commission, traditional leaders, and other guests.
