The Management of Ghana Water Company Limited (Central Region), in a recent statement, painted a bleak picture of the water crisis that is gripping Cape Coast, Elmina and surrounding communities in the Central Region.Though the release concerned the Central Region, the water crisis is nationwide, resulting in the ongoing water rationing.
The Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP), once a reliable source of potable water, according to the Ghana Water Company Limited, is now struggling to meet the needs of the population, due to the devastating impact of illegal mining on the Pra River.
Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, has become a profound challenge to the nation, one that poses a serious threat not only to the environment but also to the very survival of the people.
The pollution caused by illegal mining activities has reduced the water quality of rivers to alarming levels, with extreme turbidity rendering the water almost untreatable.
This is not just an inconvenience; it is a crisis, which if left unchecked, could see our beloved nation running out of water – a scenario too catastrophic to imagine.
Most of the river bodies in our country have become dumping grounds for mercury, cyanide and other toxic chemicals used in illegal mining, resulting in a severe depletion of water resources and endangering the lives of everyone as we rely on these rivers for drinking, farming and fishing.
Despite numerous political statements and promises to tackle illegal mining, the reality on the ground suggests that not enough has been achieved.
The government has, on various occasions, declared war on galamsey, but these efforts have often been short-lived and ineffective. There is nogainsaying the President, who put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, but appear sabotaged by his own people, taking into account the Prof. Frimpong Boateng debacle, while leading the fight against illegal mining.
Illegal miners, driven by poverty and the lure of quick wealth, continue to operate with impunity, often with the backing of powerful individuals. The result is a vicious cycle of environmental degradation, water pollution and social unrest.
The Chronicle thinks that it is time for Ghana to take swift and decisive action. The water crisis in Cape Coast and Elmina should serve as a wake-up call to the entire nation. We are sitting on a time bomb, and if we do not act now, the consequences will be dire.
The fight against illegal mining must witness a renewed commitment by authorities to dutifully enforce the laws. While laws exist to regulate mining activities, they are often ignored or ineffectively enforced.
The government must equip and empower the security agencies to crack down on illegal miners, no matter how influential they may be. The law enforcers themselves must also do well to resist any form of inducement from the miners to compromise their commitment and loyalty to the nation.
Often times, the poor miners covered with mud are arrested, but the main culprits are not tracked. The financiers and those in authority who turn a blind eye to these activities must be held accountable. Prosecution should be swift and punishment severe, to serve as a deterrent to others.
We think that politics have been the bane of the galamsey fight. But the government must invest in alternative livelihood programs that provide these individuals with sustainable employment opportunities.
In our view, given the high levels of pollution in rivers like the Pra River, referenced above, Ghana Water Company Limited should invest in advanced water treatment technologies that can handle higher levels of turbidity and contaminants. This may involve upgrading existing treatment plants or building new ones with modern filtration and purification systems.
We recommend that, if not already exploited, the Ghana Water Company should explore alternative water sources, such as groundwater, rainwater harvesting, and desalination. Diversifying water sources will reduce the strain on polluted rivers and ensure a more reliable water supply.
Addressing the water crisis will require significant investment, which the government may not be able to bear alone. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) can be a viable solution to mobilise the necessary resources for water infrastructure development.
