Former Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dennis Kwakwa, has criticized the launch of the third cohort of the Blue Water Guards, claiming that the initiative is largely political.
Speaking on ABC In The Morning, Mr. Kwakwa asserted that the government, led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is using the programme primarily as a means to provide jobs to young people who actively campaigned for them during elections.
“The launch of the third Blue Water Guards cohort is less about fighting illegal mining and more about finding jobs for the young people who campaigned for the government,” he said.
Mr. Kwakwa also criticized the government’s track record in tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, arguing that little progress has been made over the past year. “Nothing significant has happened for the past one year in the fight against galamsey,” he stated, emphasizing the need for more concrete action rather than politically motivated initiatives.
The Blue Water Guards programme, launched under the current administration, is designed to curb illegal mining activities and protect water bodies across the country. While the government has touted the initiative as a step toward environmental conservation and youth employment, critics like Mr. Kwakwa continue to question its effectiveness and underlying motivations.
As the third cohort begins its operations, questions remain about whether the programme will genuinely tackle environmental challenges or primarily serve as a political employment tool ahead of future elections.
