The government is set to intensify efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies from illegal mining activities with the deployment of an additional 452 Blue Water Guards across mining-affected areas.
The move will increase the number of personnel engaged in safeguarding rivers and other water resources from illegal mining activities to 2,069 across eight regions.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced the expansion during the Government Accountability Series press conference held at the Presidency, where he outlined measures being implemented to strengthen regulation of the mining sector.
According to the Minister, the increased deployment forms part of government’s broader strategy to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and improve monitoring of activities within mining communities.
Mr. Buah also disclosed that efforts to tighten oversight of small-scale mining operations had resulted in the registration of 4,347 earth-moving and mining equipment at the Tema Port, with 1,864 of the machines fitted with tracking devices.
He said the tracking system would improve monitoring of mining equipment and help prevent their misuse in environmentally harmful mining activities.
The Minister further revealed that 52 mercury pollution abatement training programmes had been organised as part of measures to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with mining operations.
Beyond enforcement measures, Mr. Buah highlighted government’s investment in infrastructure development within mining communities, noting that several projects had been completed during the first half of 2026.
Completed projects include a 500-seater sports complex at Kenyasi, the Savannah Regional Office in Bole, as well as district offices for the Minerals Commission at Damang, Bibiani and Akim Oda.
He said the projects were aimed at improving institutional presence, enhancing service delivery and supporting development in mining areas.
The Minister added that other major infrastructure projects are at advanced stages of completion, including a seven-storey Minerals Commission office complex in Kumasi equipped with modern laboratories and a museum, the Tamale Regional Office Block, the Kyebi District Office and staff accommodation facilities.
Mr. Buah said the infrastructure expansion and strengthened regulatory measures demonstrate government’s commitment to building a more accountable mining sector while ensuring that mining communities benefit from the country’s mineral resources.
