President John Dramani Mahama has announced an additional GH¢400 million allocation in the 2027 Budget to recruit more Blue Water Guards as part of efforts to intensify Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The President made the announcement on October 13, 2026, during a meeting with chiefs from the Western North Regional House of Chiefs at the Presidency in Accra.

He urged traditional leaders to support the government’s efforts to protect rivers, forests and other natural resources from the destructive effects of illegal mining.

According to Mahama, the additional funding will help expand the Blue Water Guards and strengthen patrols on water bodies affected by illegal mining.

He also disclosed that the guards had been instructed to destroy changfang machines found during their operations. These machines are commonly used for mining in rivers and other waterways.

Mahama Appeals to Chiefs to Support Galamsey Fight

The President stressed that traditional authorities have an important role to play in tackling illegal mining because of their influence within local communities.

He called on chiefs to work closely with government agencies and security personnel to prevent illegal mining activities, particularly around rivers and forest reserves.

Mahama also acknowledged that efforts to stop galamsey have sometimes faced resistance from community members and traditional authorities.

He indicated that stronger cooperation between chiefs and the government would help improve enforcement and reduce confrontations during operations.

Government Seeks Alternative Jobs for Young People

Beyond enforcement, Mahama highlighted the need to create alternative livelihood opportunities for young people who depend on illegal mining for income.

He explained that the fight against galamsey would be difficult to sustain if affected communities lacked access to jobs and other sources of livelihood.

The President pointed to the government’s New Economy Policy, which seeks to support job creation in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.

These sectors could provide alternative employment opportunities for people in mining communities while helping reduce pressure on the country’s natural resources.

Can the Additional Funding Curb Galamsey?

The proposed GH¢400 million allocation is expected to support the recruitment of more Blue Water Guards and strengthen efforts to protect Ghana’s rivers from illegal mining.

However, the impact of the funding will depend on effective recruitment, adequate resources, consistent monitoring and the enforcement of existing mining laws.

Cooperation from traditional leaders and local communities will also be important in ensuring that illegal mining activities do not continue unchecked.

The announcement places additional funding at the centre of the government’s renewed efforts to combat galamsey, with the ultimate goal of protecting Ghana’s water bodies and preserving the environment for future generations.

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