Blue Water Guards arrested for bribery and impersonation in Ashanti Region

Nine members of the Blue Water Guards (BWG) were arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Manso Adubia, Ashanti Region, on Friday, August 21, 2026. The suspects are accused of bribery and impersonating NAIMOS officials while conducting activities in the area.

An internal notice issued to the Blue Water Guards described the alleged conduct as a violation of professional standards that could damage the reputation of the government’s anti-illegal mining initiatives. The notice clarified that BWG personnel have no authority to act as NAIMOS officials and warned that such actions would face legal consequences.

The arrests occur despite the existing operational relationship between the two groups, which have previously conducted joint enforcement activities to protect river corridors from illegal mining. The incident has raised questions regarding accountability and the integrity of personnel tasked with protecting Ghana’s water bodies.