Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that the second phase of the Blue Water Initiative will focus on de-chemicalising water bodies polluted by illegal mining activities, as part of the government’s aggressive push to protect and restore Ghana’s natural resources. Addressing the media during a sectoral update on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister stated that feasibility studies are currently underway to implement this next phase, which aims to return polluted rivers and streams to their original, pristine state. “The second phase of the Blue Water Initiative will focus on de-chemicalising the water bodies to restore them to their pristine conditions. Feasibility studies are steadily underway,” Mr. Buah revealed. The Blue Water Initiative, launched within the government’s first 120 days, is a key component of the Ministry’s response to illegal small-scale mining and its devastating impact on water resources. So far, over 450 personnel, known as Blue Water Guards, have been trained and deployed to monitor and protect critical water bodies. Mr. Buah announced that an additional 530 officers are set to graduate on Friday, July 25, bringing the total number of trained guards to 980. “The target is to train 2,000 personnel by the end of the year,” he noted. Unlike traditional security deployments, the Blue Water Guards operate using a non-confrontational strategy. They serve primarily as intelligence officers, working closely with local communities to educate and sensitise residents on the dangers of illegal mining and the importance of environmental conservation. “They act as intelligence officers and also engage with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and the negative impacts of illegal mining,” the Minister said.