100 River Guards Commissioned To Fight Galamsey

One hundred river guards have been commissioned by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to protect the country’s various river bodies against illegal mining otherwise known as galamsey.

They form the first batch of some three hundred personnel earmarked to undergo training as river guards.

They were commissioned on Tuesday, October 25 by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, George Mireku Duker on behalf of Samuel Abu Jinapor.

The ceremony took place at the premises of the Eastern Naval Command.

“This forms part of Government’s initiatives to permanently position security personal along the banks of rivers to patrol and protect various water bodies”, the Deputy Minister said.

They will conduct various patrol activities on the various river bodies of the country after getting equipped with skills in speedboat operation, and swimming, among others.

The one hundred (100) river wardens from various parts of the country began training to become river guards in Ghana in September.

The recruits received a month of training at the Eastern Naval Command.

Last month, the Ministry said speedboats needed for their operation are ready.

Their operation is necessary to clamp down on illegal mining which is destroying the country’s water bodies.

Samples of water from some of the river bodies in Ghana fetched by JoyNews showed massive pollution of the country’s waters.

River Tano, Nwui, Offin, Bonsa, Bia, Ankobra, Amoya, Afu Afu and Totoa streams have changed colours according to the samples fetched by JoyNews.

Source: opmesuo.com/Hajara Fuseini