Manhyia North Member of Parliament (MP) Akwasi Konadu has called for an independent audit of the government’s Blue Water Guards programme. This demand follows the arrest of nine personnel in Manso Adubia, Ashanti Region, for alleged bribery and impersonation.
The arrests have raised significant concerns about the programme’s supervision, accountability, and overall effectiveness. MP Konadu questioned whether a programme designed to protect Ghana’s vital water bodies was itself becoming compromised by the very illegal activities it was established to combat. He stressed that this situation represents a serious failure of institutional design and oversight.
This development fits into a broader national struggle against illegal mining, known as 'galamsey', which continues to devastate Ghana’s environment and economy. Despite various government initiatives and significant financial investment, the fight against galamsey has faced persistent challenges. The Blue Water Guards programme, launched to safeguard rivers and other water sources, is one of several efforts to curb this destructive practice. Previous reports have highlighted the immense cost of galamsey, including the pollution of nearly 80% of Ghana's water bodies and significant losses in agricultural productivity.
“This is not merely a failure of nine individuals. It is a serious failure of institutional design, supervision and accountability,” MP Konadu stated in a public comment. He urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the recruitment processes, supervision protocols, legal mandate, and disciplinary procedures governing the guards. Konadu also called for an examination of the total amount spent on the programme and its measurable environmental impact.
The implications of these allegations are far-reaching for public trust and the future of environmental protection efforts. If the programme cannot demonstrate clear results, such as cleaner rivers and stronger enforcement against illegal mining, its continued operation may be in question. Decision-makers will need to address these accountability gaps to restore confidence and ensure public funds are effectively utilized. The government faces pressure to either radically reform the programme or reconsider its viability, as Ghana’s natural resources cannot afford further setbacks.
MP Konadu cautioned that simply increasing the number of guards would be ineffective without fundamental improvements in oversight and performance. He emphasized that the programme must guarantee basic standards of environmental protection. “If the Blue Water Guards programme cannot guarantee these basic standards, then government must have the courage to reform it radically or reconsider its continued operation,” he asserted. He concluded by stating that Ghana’s rivers cannot afford another failed experiment, underscoring the urgency of the situation. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in implementing effective anti-galamsey measures and ensuring integrity within state-backed initiatives.