Thursday, 29 October 2026

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Thursday, 29 October 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

Blue Water Guards

Also known as: BWG

Blue Water Guards — river protection program that receives government budgetary support in Ghana's anti-illegal mining campaign.

2026-04-252026-10-29

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Blue Water Guards

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
23 OctJoy Online
… The Secretariat is also strengthening collaboration with Blue Water Guards and other intelligence agencies to improve information-sharing and coordinate enforcement. …
NAIMOS to extend river protection operations to two more water bodies by year-end
19 OctJoy Online
… He said half of the allocation, GH¢200 million, will be used to reclaim 5,000 acres of land degraded by illegal mining [galamsey], while the remaining GH¢200 million will support the activities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Blue Water Guards. …
GH¢400m to be allocated for reclamation of galamsey destroyed lands, EPA and Blue Water Guards in 2027 Budget – Mahama
19 OctJoy Online
… He announced that GH¢200 million had been allocated in the 2027 Budget to support the activities of the National Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Illegal Mining (NIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards. …
GoldBod must be commended for successes chalked up – Mahama
18 OctJoy Online
… GH¢400m allocated for Blue Water Guards President Mahama also announced that the Finance Minister had allocated GH¢400 million in the 2027 Budget to recruit additional Blue Water Guards to patrol water bodies and intensify the fight against illegal mining. …
Soldiers to remain in nine cleared forest reserves to prevent galamsey – Mahama
14 OctJoy Online
… He further disclosed that the Minister of Finance has provided an additional GH¢400 million in the 2027 Budget to recruit more Blue Water Guards to patrol water bodies. …
Government working to address economic challenges driving youth into galamsey – Mahama
1 OctJoy Online
… o safeguard the neatness of their communities, rivers and wetlands He intimated that when communities were engulfed with filth and rivers polluted, communities suffered and generations compromised Mr Ameko who is also the Dean of Volta region MDCEs, reminded the Blue Water Guards …
Adaklu is not a safe haven for environmental degradation – DCE
September 2026
4 SeptJoy Online
… The operation, which involves the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Special Boat Squadron and Blue Water Guards, has focused on dismantling illegal changfa mining operations and securing the river against armed groups protecting illegal miners. …
Lands Minister inspects Ankobra, cites progress in galamsey fight
2 SeptThe Chronicle
… Perhaps even more significant is the deployment of the Blue Water Guards. By May 2026, 2,071 personnel had been trained and deployed nationwide to patrol rivers, identify illegal mining sites and report activities. …
Buah And The Galamsey War: Why Mahama May Have Chosen The Right Man For Ghana’s Toughest Battle
August 2026
24 AugJoy Online
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North and former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Akwasi Konadu, has called on the government to urgently review the Blue Water Guards programme following allegations of bribery and impersonation involving nine of its members. …
Galamsey: Ghana’s rivers cannot afford another failed experiment – Akwasi Konadu
24 AugJoy Online
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Akwasi Konadu, has criticised the government’s Blue Water Guards programme, describing it as a failed initiative that is negatively affecting the fight against illegal mining. …
Blue Water Guards programme failing in fight against galamsey – Manhyia North MP

Politics

NAIMOS to expand river protection operations before 2026 year-end

The News

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat plans to extend its river protection operations to two more major water bodies by the end of 2026. Operation Water Shield on the River Birim and Ankobra will be complemented by Operation Green Shield targeting illegal mining in the Atiwa Forest Reserve, supported by sustained patrols and a planned dedicated riverine unit with the Ghana Navy.

23 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 23 October

NAIMOS to expand river protection operations before 2026 year-end
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat plans to extend its river protection operations to two more major water bodies by the end of 2026. Operation Water Shield on the River Birim and Ankobra will be complemented by Operation Green Shield targeting illegal mining in the Atiwa Forest Reserve, supported by sustained patrols and a planned dedicated riverine unit with the Ghana Navy.
23 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 19 October

GH¢400m allocated for galamsey land reclamation in 2027 budget
President Mahama announced that the 2027 Budget will allocate GH¢400 million for environmental protection, with GH¢200 million to reclaim 5,000 acres of land degraded by illegal mining and GH¢200 million to support the EPA and Blue Water Guards. The reclamation exercise begins in 2027 amid ongoing restoration efforts, as damage from illegal mining is estimated at 12,000 acres nationwide.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama commends Gold Board for export growth and forex earnings
President Mahama praised the Ghana Gold Board for increasing gold exports from artisanal and small-scale mining and boosting foreign exchange earnings. He noted that the country exported 104 tonnes from the sector between April and December 2025 following GoldBod's establishment in April, bringing in $10.8 billion compared to $4.66 billion in 2024.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 18 October

Soldiers to remain in nine cleared forest reserves against galamsey
President Mahama announced that soldiers will remain stationed in nine forest reserves cleared of illegal mining to prevent operators from returning, following previous experiences where illegal miners resumed activity after military personnel withdrew.
18 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 14 October

Government tackles economic drivers of illegal mining among youth
President Mahama says the government is addressing economic challenges that push young people into galamsey, with the New Economy Agenda expected to create job opportunities as an alternative. He noted that enforcement alone is insufficient, citing cases of Senior High School students turning to illegal mining due to financial hardship, and emphasized the need to combine law enforcement with alternative income sources.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 1 October

Adaklu DCE warns against environmental degradation in district
Adaklu District Chief Executive Jerry Yao Ameko has warned that environmental protection and sanitation are non-negotiable under his watch, urging residents to view environmental responsibility as a shared civic responsibility rather than a governmental task.
1 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 4 September

Lands Minister reports 3,000 illegal mining machines removed
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources says the government has removed more than 3,000 illegal mining machines from major river bodies and arrested 237 suspects under Operation Water Shield. The Minister inspected the Ankobra River and attributed progress to a shift from sporadic raids to permanent security deployments.
4 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 2 September

Mahama appoints Buah to lead Ghana's fight against illegal mining
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to lead Ghana's battle against galamsey, or illegal mining, which has expanded into sophisticated networks over the last eight years and degraded water bodies and farmlands. Buah is regarded for his personal integrity and reputation for honesty, qualities seen as essential for resisting financial inducements in the fight against powerful mining interests.
2 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Monday 24 August

MP calls urgent review of Blue Water Guards programme after arrests
Akwasi Konadu, MP for Manhyia North, has urged the government to review the Blue Water Guards programme following arrests of nine members on allegations of bribery and impersonation at Manso Adubia in Ashanti Region. He warned that compromised enforcement operations could weaken Ghana's anti-galamsey architecture and questioned the expansion of the programme, stating that the government should prioritize measurable environmental outcomes over personnel numbers.
24 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Blue Water Guards programme failing to combat galamsey – MP
Manhyia North MP Akwasi Konadu has criticized the government's Blue Water Guards programme as a failed initiative in the fight against illegal mining, citing the arrest of nine guards at Manso Adubia over bribery and impersonation allegations as evidence of systemic institutional failure. He called for an independent audit of the programme's recruitment, supervision, and accountability structures.
24 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 23 August

Nine Blue Water Guards arrested for bribery and impersonation
Nine members of the Blue Water Guards were arrested at Manso Adubia in the Ashanti Region on Friday, August 21, 2026, over allegations that they collected money from individuals while posing as officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). The arrests have prompted authorities to warn BWG personnel against conduct that could undermine public confidence in anti-illegal mining efforts.
23 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 22 August

Tano North chiefs condemn police release of arrested illegal miners
Traditional authorities in Tano North Municipality have expressed frustration over the routine release of arrested illegal miners by police, saying law enforcement failure is undermining local efforts to curb galamsey and environmental degradation. Chiefs report that communities captured illegal miners polluting the Tano River and handed them to police, but the detainees were discharged.
22 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 16 August

Tano North chiefs petition Mahama over galamsey destruction
Traditional authorities in the Tano North Municipality have appealed to President Mahama to intervene against illegal mining that has devastated forests and polluted the River Tano, saying state institutions including NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards have failed to halt the destruction.
16 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 15 August

Lands Minister: galamsey prosecution, not arrest, is main challenge
The government has arrested 258 suspects and seized thousands of mining equipment pieces in its anti-galamsey campaign, but Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said the real challenge is ensuring prosecutions reach conclusion in court, not the arrests themselves. The ministry is working with the Attorney-General's Department to address difficulties in prosecuting illegal mining cases.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 14 August

Government expands galamsey fight to local equipment manufacturers
The government is widening its illegal mining enforcement to target businesses and supply networks that manufacture and provide equipment for galamsey operations. As of July 2026, authorities had seized or immobilised 1,724 changfan machines and other equipment, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources said this required investigating manufacturers, financiers and suppliers of illegal mining equipment alongside the miners themselves.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana loses 8,900 hectares of forest reserves to illegal mining
Ghana has lost approximately 8,900 hectares of forest reserves to illegal mining, with government operations resulting in 258 arrests and the seizure or immobilisation of 234 excavators, 2,728 pumping machines, and 1,724 changfan machines as of July 2026. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources identified nine of Ghana's 288 forest reserves as severely affected and acknowledged that successful prosecution remains a major challenge in tackling the problem.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 7 August

Deputy Minister claims progress in anti-galamsey campaign
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources says government has made significant progress in fighting illegal mining through interventions by NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards initiative, which have improved water quality and reclaimed forest reserves degraded by galamsey activities.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 4 August

Bono minister warns chiefs against galamsey involvement
The Bono Regional Minister warned traditional authorities that those who engage in or aid illegal mining will be prosecuted, and called for community support for the Blue Water Guards to tackle galamsey and logging in the region.
4 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 3 August

Bono minister warns chiefs against galamsey engagement
The Bono Regional Minister has warned traditional leaders that any chief or queen who engaged in or supported illegal mining would be prosecuted, and called on communities to report suspected galamsey activities to security agencies.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 20 July

CAGG challenges "impunity era over" claim, demands stronger enforcement
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey disputes the government's assertion that the era of impunity is over in illegal mining, arguing that persistent lawlessness across mining hotspots and inconsistent enforcement demonstrate the battle remains unresolved. The coalition acknowledged progress by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources but insists that sustained, uniform enforcement across all regions and against all operators is needed to protect forests, rivers and mining communities.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 16 July

Government deploys 452 additional Blue Water Guards against galamsey
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister announced the recruitment, training and deployment of 452 additional Blue Water Guards to strengthen water body protection against illegal mining, bringing total personnel across eight regions to 2,069. The government has also registered 4,347 mining equipment units at Tema Port and installed 1,864 tracking devices as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of small-scale mining.
16 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 30 June

CPP calls for urgent action as Accra floods cause destruction
The Convention People's Party has described flooding in Accra on June 29, 2026, as a "self-inflicted" disaster caused by indiscriminate building on waterways and garbage dumping into drainage systems, urging government to deploy the Navy and speedboats for rescue and to cut electricity in flooded areas to prevent electrocution.
30 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 8 June

New mining bill proposes decentralising licence approvals to districts
Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has submitted a new mining bill to Cabinet that would transfer licensing approval powers from central agencies like the EPA and Minerals Commission to newly established District Mining Committees, giving local communities greater involvement in mining governance and licensing decisions.
8 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 25 May

Community bank chairman calls for galamsey state of emergency
The Board Chairman of Ahantaman Community Bank has called on government to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining, warning that continued destruction of water bodies threatens national development and public health. He cited the ineffectiveness of existing interventions and alleged that some chiefs and politicians are complicit in galamsey activities.
25 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
NAIMOS arrests two Chinese nationals in pre-dawn galamsey raid
Ghana's National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) conducted a pre-dawn raid at Sanfo Adiam in Amansie East District, Ashanti Region, on 24 May 2026, arresting two Chinese nationals operating an illegal gold mining enclave. The operators had diverted sections of the Dankai River into an artificial dam for unlawful extraction; several Ghanaian workers fled during the operation, with one spotted carrying a pump-action firearm.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Board chairman urges emergency declaration on illegal mining
The Board Chairman of Ahantaman Community Bank has called on government to declare a state of emergency on galamsey, warning that continued destruction of water bodies threatens national development and public health. He cited water pollution as widespread across the country and alleged that some traditional leaders and influential persons are complicit in illegal mining, hampering enforcement efforts.
25 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Saturday 16 May

Government's Blue Water Guards combat illegal mining, 452 graduate
The government's Blue Water Guards initiative is producing positive results in fighting illegal mining along Ghana's rivers and streams, with the Lands and Natural Resources Minister stating that almost every district where guards have been deployed has witnessed improvement in water systems. A total of 452 newly trained guards graduated at the Naval Base at Ezinlibo in the Western Region.
16 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 15 May

Government expands Blue Water Guards to combat illegal mining nationwide
The government has graduated another batch of Blue Water Guards at the Western Naval Command as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining and protect water bodies. The initiative, launched in 2025, aims to train about 2,000 young people nationwide to monitor rivers, report illegal mining activities, and educate communities on environmental protection; 1,617 trained guards have already been deployed across eight regions.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
NAIMOS arrests three Chinese nationals in Tano River operation
Operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested three Chinese nationals during a riverine operation targeting illegal mining along the Tano River in Amenfi West District on 14 May 2026. The suspects were found overseeing miners operating Changfan machines on floating platforms and were handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 12 May

NAIMOS intensifies patrols against illegal mining on Ankobra River
Personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat and Blue Water Guards carried out riverine patrols along the Ankobra River on May 11, 2026, disrupting illegal mining at Dominase in the Western Region. The team destroyed six changfan machines that suspects were reinstalling on an abandoned floating platform.
12 May 2026 · Joy Online →