A tragic incident occurred in Akyem Amenam, Birim North District, Eastern Region, as Adams Abubakar, a 35-year-old Blue Water Guard personnel, drowned while participating in an anti-illegal mining operation.
Abubakar, an experienced diver, was part of a team that had launched an operation to flush out illegal miners from River Prah. The illegal miners fled the scene upon the arrival of the Blue Water Guards, although one was arrested.
In an effort to seize and destroy machines being used illegally in the river, Abubakar entered the water to retrieve one of the machines. Despite his expertise, he began to struggle and was rescued unconscious by his colleagues. He was carried through the bush to the operation vehicle and transported to Abirem Government Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body has since been deposited at the Abirem Government Hospital mortuary, where an autopsy is expected. Francis Lartsu, spokesperson for the Blue Water Guards, confirmed the incident, while the local police have launched an official investigation.
The Blue Water Guard initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to protect Ghana’s rivers from pollution and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities.
This tragic loss reveals the dangers faced by personnel enforcing environmental laws and the ongoing struggle against illegal mining in Ghana.
