
Access to potable drinking water remains a challenge in many Ghanaian households. But even where tap water flows, safety is no longer guaranteed.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has raised serious concerns over the presence of toxic synthetic chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ in Ghana’s drinking water system.
A national ecological risk assessment, conducted as part of Ghana’s revised 2018 implementation plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), revealed that PFAS were detected in treated tap water and major rivers such as the Pra and Kakum.
The report, shared with The Chronicle by the EPA following a formal questionnaire sent to the EPA, highlights how these rivers, which supply piped water to homes in the Central Region, have already been affected by these so-called “forever chemicals.”
“The study reported contamination of tap water, Pra and Kakum Rivers with PFCs (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, PFDA, and PFPeA). Mean concentrations in the Kakum and Pra Rivers were 280.80 ng/L and 397.63 ng/L, respectively, while treated tap water contained PFAS levels of 196.57 and 200.29 ng/L,”the EPA stated.

According to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the state agency responsible for supplying tap water to urban areas, its systems served approximately 14 million people nationwide as of June 2024, through 84 water supply systems comprising 61 surface water and 23 groundwater sources. This figure represents nearly half of Ghana’s population, underscoring the scale of potential exposure to PFAS if the contamination is not addressed at the source or during treatment.
Health Risks: Risk Quotient Above Safety Threshold
Using the internationally recognized Risk Quotient (RQ) system to assess human exposure, the EPA calculated an RQ of 1.01 for PFOA and 1.74 for PFOS, both of which exceed the recommended safety threshold of 1.0.
“For a country that does not manufacture PFAS, the risk quotient raises significant concern, particularly about contamination from imported products,” the report warned.
PFAS in Ghana: Imported and Unregulated
Although Ghana does not produce PFAS, the EPA confirmed that these chemicals enter the country, often undetected, through imported goods. Products that may contain PFAS include firefighting foams, synthetic carpets, upholstered furniture, industrial surfactants, treated textiles, and food packaging materials.
The EPA noted that none of the local industries, such as cleaning product manufacturers, surfactant producers, paper and paint manufacturers, or the furniture and plastic sectors, were found to be producing items containing PFAS. However, the agency believes that PFAS contamination likely originates from the use of imported products and substances.
Industries most suspected of using PFAS-containing products include fire fighting services, mining, oil and gas, metal plating, photography, and food packaging sectors. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was identified as one of the key users of firefighting foam that may contain PFOS.
PFAS Contamination Sites and Usage Data
According to the EPA, contamination hotspots in Ghana include firefighter training grounds, fire scenes, foam storage facilities, and urban dumpsites. These locations are believed to have accumulated PFAS due to improper handling and disposal over the years.
The EPA’s inventory shows that approximately 26,833 kilograms of PFOS-containing firefighting foam were used during training exercises. This volume contained an estimated 134.17 kilograms to 402.50 kilograms of net PFOS. In actual fire incidents over the past 20 years, the EPA recorded an additional 118,588.15 kilograms of firefighting foam being used, potentially releasing between 592.94 kilograms and 1,178.82 kilograms of PFOS into the environment.
The agency stated that these chemicals likely entered the soil, groundwater, and public drainage systems, particularly given Ghana’s ongoing lack of waste segregation. The suspected contamination sites include stockpile storage areas, fire drill locations, fire scenes where large quantities of firefighting foam were used, and public landfill dumpsites across the country.
EPA Confirms Legal and Regulatory Gaps
Despite growing concern, Ghana lacks a specific legal framework to regulate or manage PFAS. The EPA acknowledged that although some chemical management provisions exist under Act 490 and Act 917, these are insufficient to address the complexity of PFAS contamination.
“There are no dedicated laws for the control and management of PFOS or PFAS in Ghana. A comprehensive framework must be developed to regulate the entire class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” the report emphasized.
The EPA is currently conducting a Tier III inventory to determine the extent of PFAS presence and to identify unknown stockpiles or affected sites. However, until that process is complete and legislation updated, enforcement remains limited.
EPA Official: Ghana Must Update Chemical Laws
In a follow-up interview with the Mr Joseph Edmund , Director of the EPA’s Chemicals, he confirmed to The Chronicle that PFAS have not yet been addressed under Ghana’s current waste laws, even though other substances like PCBs were banned in 2025.
Mr. Edmund explained that the newly listed POPs from the Stockholm Convention have yet to be incorporated into the national legal framework, but efforts are ongoing to identify these substances through inventories and revise the law accordingly. He noted that when it comes to hazardous pesticides, Ghana has banned all 12 originally listed under the Convention. PCBs have now been covered under the country’s waste laws, and once the full inventory of PFAS is complete—including source identification and quantity data—the law will be updated to include them.
Director Edmund confirmed that the term “tap water” used in the EPA’s report refers to treated water supplied by the Ghana Water Company. However, he could not confirm whether the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is still using PFAS-containing foams, though he stated that the fire service was part of the initial inventory process and supplied data to the EPA. He recommended that The Chronicle follows up with GNFS for their current status.
When asked whether steps have been taken to prevent the importation of PFAS-containing products, Mr. Edmund said that while PCBs have been banned from entering Ghana, PFAS importation has not yet been formally controlled. He also revealed that the EPA has launched a project on waste segregation and disposal, but implementation at the local level remains inconsistent.
While segregation infrastructure exists in some places, compliance by the public has been low, and effective management remains a challenge that largely falls under the jurisdiction of local government authorities.
He further disclosed that the EPA identifies offshore companies and sources of POPs by reviewing global inventories compiled under the Stockholm Convention. These sources are then contacted for data, and quantities are calculated for national reporting. Funding for this work, he added, is provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which supports all participating countries under the Convention.
Medical Officer Warns of Public Health Crisis
Dr. George Oduro, a senior medical officer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and lecturer at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, described PFAS as a serious and escalating danger to public health. He warned that without immediate action, Ghana risks exposing generations to irreversible harm.
Policy Recommendations from Medical Experts
Dr. Oduro urged the Government of Ghana to establish a national PFAS monitoring and regulatory framework. He called for increased funding for toxicological research and environmental testing, the launch of mass public education campaigns, and closer collaboration with global organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
He highlighted UNEP’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) as a key international platform Ghana should engage with.
He further recommended that the country adopt enforceable maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in both water and soil.
He also called for a nationwide ban on PFAS in consumer products, funding for PFAS remediation, and enforcement of the “polluter-pays” principle to hold industries accountable for environmental harm.
Health Dangers: Who Is Most at Risk?
Dr. Oduro identified vulnerable populations as pregnant women, who face risks of fetal developmental complications, infants and children who may suffer from impaired growth and immune system suppression and people living near contaminated sites who face elevated risks of chronic disease and cancer. Immune compromised individuals are also at higher risk for severe PFAS-related health effects.
He explained that PFAS disrupt hormonal systems, particularly the thyroid, and cause liver damage, elevated cholesterol levels, and weakening of the immune system.
They can impair vaccine responses and increase the incidence of asthma, cancer, and reproductive complications such as infertility and menstrual irregularities. PFAS exposure is also linked to delayed puberty, cognitive deficits, and behavioural disorders in children, as well as serious diseases such as cardiovascular complications and cancers of the kidney, testicles, and pancreas.
How the Public Can Reduce PFAS Exposure
To reduce exposure, Dr. Oduro advised the public to avoid stain-resistant and water-resistant products, limit consumption of fish from contaminated water bodies, use PFAS-removing filters for drinking water, and choose PFAS-free cosmetics and personal care products. He also advocated for improved product labelling to help consumers make safer and informed choices.
Conclusion: Ghana Must Act Now
PFAS—chemicals known for their environmental persistence, pose an escalating threat to public health in Ghana. Although the country does not produce these compounds, PFAS contamination is now evident in rivers, tap water, and waste streams.
The EPA’s findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive legal, scientific, and public health action to prevent further contamination and protect future generations from irreversible harm.
This story was produced with support from a Science, Technology and Innovation Journalism Pitch Award, funded by the British Government and facilitated through KNUST.
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