Is Ghana heading toward importing drinking water due to galamsey menace?

Our country, Ghana blessed with an abundance of natural resources, is now teetering on the edge of an environmental catastrophe. The galamsey menace has grown from a clandestine operation into a nationwide crisis that threatens not only our rivers and lands but also the very lifeline of the nation: our water supply.

The situation has deteriorated to the point where we must now confront the terrifying possibility that Ghana may soon be forced to import drinking water, just like other countries that have lost control over such a resource.

The ravages of galamsey are evident in the once-clear rivers of Ghana that have turned into toxic streams. The Pra River, which has become emblematic of this devastation, is now heavily polluted, its waters tainted with mercury, cyanide, and other lethal chemicals used in illegal mining.

The impact of this pollution has been catastrophic, as highlighted by a recent letter from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in Cape Coast dated 30th August 2024. The letter, a stark warning to the nation, states that the GWCL is unable to supply sufficient water to Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities because of the severe pollution of the Pra River. The Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant, which relies on this river, is no longer receiving adequate clean water to treat for safe distribution.

This is not just a local problem but a national emergency. The Pra River’s degradation is a grim reminder of what can happen when environmental laws are ignored and short-term profits are placed above the long-term health and well-being of the population. If immediate action is not taken, we could see similar crises across the country, with more communities cut off from their water supply. The day may come when Ghana, a country once abundant in water, has to import drinking water an unthinkable scenario that now seems all too possible.

Ghana is not alone in facing this grim reality. Some countries in Africa have had to resort to importing water due to the depletion and contamination of their natural water sources. Examples are Libya, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana and Cape Verde. The difference is that most of the countries are not in this plight because of galamsey.

The time for promises and political rhetoric has passed. The government must urgently deliver on its promises to combat galamsey with the full force of the law. This is not just about protecting the environment; it is about safeguarding the health, well-being, and future of every Ghanaian.

Authorities must implement stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, ensuring that those caught engaging in illegal mining face the full consequences of their actions.

The destruction of our rivers must stop, and efforts to rehabilitate and restore them must begin immediately. This will require not just the commitment of the government but the active participation of all Ghanaians, from local communities to the highest levels of leadership.

We must also look at alternative livelihoods for those who depend on illegal mining for survival. Sustainable and legal mining practices, alongside other economic activities, must be promoted to ensure that people can earn a living without destroying the environment.

The Ghana Water Company Limited’s letter is not just an isolated incident, I have equally heard others raise similar concerns. And we don't have to sit on the fences because your community could be next.

This is a clarion call to the nation. If we do not act now, we may find ourselves importing water from other countries, paying a steep price for something that once flowed freely from our rivers and streams.

This is also a potential security threat to our beloved country because we are left at the mercy of whomever we import water from. If unwholesome water is served to the nation, for instance, our health could be jeopardized.

Importing water will put further strain on our economic situation. These subjects have become difficult to discuss because we are divided along political lines.

We must put Ghana first and ensure that our future is preserved. Galamsey is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of national survival. The destruction of our water bodies is a threat to every aspect of life. If we continue on this path, the day may come when we are forced to buy water from foreign lands, paying for the very resource that should be our birthright.

The letter from the Ghana Water Company Limited is a dire warning. As the saying goes, coming events cast their shadows.

We must respond with urgency and determination to end the galamsey menace once and for all. The future of Ghana depends on it.