Ghanaians Demand Whereabouts Of River Wardens

…Defence Ministry, Interior, Sanitation Others Go Silent

More questions continuous to pour in, regarding the whereabouts of some 300 rivers wardens purportedly trained by government to protect water bodies against pollution, due to the activities of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

What is more worrying, is the apparent loud silent by some key sector ministries anticipated to explain to Ghanaians, on why the river wardens, were not deployed, in spite of the huge resources spent to recruit and feed them since 2022.

Interestingly, despite the devastation caused to water bodies across the country, amidst ensuing public anger, the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and those responsible to ensure the deployment is done, are yet to explain why the project was not implemented.

This, has left multiple questions on the lips of Ghanaians, given the current sorry state of the country’s water bodies and water supply challenges being experienced in some parts of the country, particularly Central, Western, Ashanti and others.

The first batch of 100 river wardens out of 300 recruited, completed their course after a four-week intensive pre-deployment training at the Eastern Naval Command in Tema.

But two years on, The Anchor, is informed the laudable initiative under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has not been implemented as planned, leaving the recruited personnel to languish at home without being deployed.

It is, however, unclear, what may have caused government’s failure to implement the policy, which some have described, as very laudable and well-thought out.

May are of the view, a successful deployment of the river wardens to some of the water bodies, could have lessen the impact of the ongoing senseless destruction of these water bodies being witnessed.

This paper is informed, several countries across the globe, including Brazil, Argentina, Peru, where mining activities take place, have all adopted the concept of river wardens, where it worked for them.

Through the training, they have been equipped with swimming techniques, water confidence, boat handling, classroom work, practical demonstrations, physical training and drills.

The Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo, during the passing-out, said the initiative was a valuable addition to the many efforts to curb illegal mining.

The passing-out ceremony at the time, was led on behalf of the government by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in charge of Mines, George Mireku Duker.

In his remark during the passing out. he said, the training was to develop their swimming, water confidence and boat handling techniques, which were achieved through classroom lectures, practical demonstrations, physical training and drills.

The Deputy Minister, highlighted the training of the wardens underscored the government’s determination to fight illegal mining and build a responsible, viable and sustainable industry that would be beneficial to the state and the investment community.

Meanwhile, President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, says President Akufo-Addo, should have declared a state of emergency, because of the devastating state of the country’s water bodies due to galamsey.

His call, follows similar demand by prominent eminent citizens, including a former Chairman of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Prof Stephen Adei and Coordinator for Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, urging the government to declare state of emergency.

In the case of Mr Cudjoe, he criticised the president for what he perceives as a lack of action, noting that the president’s recent travels to China have taken precedence over addressing the galamsey crisis.

Speaking on ‘The Big Issue’ on Channel One News on Saturday, he also expressed disappointment with the National Security Minister, whom he accused of failing to recognise the urgency of the situation.

“It behoves us to do that. We are looking up to the president to lead the charge. In a serious civilised country, the call by some of the media actors that some sort of emergency should be declared should have been listened to long ago because this is really an emergency.

“These are people who are going to be killed by these mining activities down the line. I expected the president—that is where leadership count but he is gallivanting in China claiming to be doing what on our behalf.”

“I don’t even understand what is wrong with that man. Look, this is an existential threat. In fact, I even expected the National Security Minister to declare some sort of emergency already but he is also asleep, fast asleep more than even the president…Until the president actually declares an emergency, nothing will happen,” he stated.

Source: Anchorghana.com