By: Vincent Kwofie
The fight against galamsey (illegal mining) in Ghana has been ongoing for years, with various approaches being employed to address the issue.
On Monday, March 17, 2025,Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah launched the government’s flagship Blue Water Initiative, aimed at restoring polluted water resources.
The initiative, as announced by minister is aimed at training about 460 Blue Water Guards who will provide 24-hour monitoring and protection of the nation’s water bodies to prevent illegal mining activities.
However, Host of Atinka FM’s Morning Show Ekow Budu Sam during a broadcast of his show on Tuesday,18th March,2025 emphasized the need for a holistic approach to address galamsey
“We need to look beyond just patrolling our rivers and waterways. We need to address the root causes of galamsey, including poverty, lack of education, and unemployment,”He added.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat galamsey, rather than merely relying on “River Guards”.
He called for collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector companies, and local communities.
“We need to work together to share knowledge, expertise, and resources to combat galamsey,”Ekow Budu Sam said.
