German Embassy Warns Ghana of Looming Water Crisis Due to Illegal Mining Pollution

The German Deputy Ambassador to Ghana, Sivine Jansen, has warned that Ghana may need to import drinking water as early as 2030 if drastic action is not taken to address the pollution caused by illegal mining, also known as "galamsey."

Sivine highlighted the urgent need to bring environmental concerns to communities most affected by pollution and climate change. “We have visited many cities in Ghana outside the capital to bring crucial conversations about climate and the environment to the most impacted people. Unfortunately, I have seen rivers that no longer flow with clear blue water; they have turned brown due to pollution from galamsey. This isn’t just a local issue but one that could affect all of Ghana if it continues.” Jansen said.

Her remarks were made at the Climate Talks series in Tarkwa, organised by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in collaboration with the German Embassy, supported by Dynamite FM, local radio station in Tarkwa.

The Climate Talks series forms part of a focused effort to bring environmental concerns to communities most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation.

The Deputy Ambassador underscored the German Embassy’s concern over Ghana’s rapidly deteriorating water quality, specifically pointing out that the turbidity level – a measure of water clarity – in rivers near Takoradi reaches 14,000 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units). In comparison, the Ghana Water Company requires water turbidity levels to be below 2,000 NTU to make it treatable, with safe drinking levels at just 5 NTU. “If you compare five to 14,000, you see that there’s quite a gap. At this rate, Ghana is moving toward a future where clean water may have to be imported. And that’s only six years away if current trends persist,” she said.

In her remarks, Sivine also highlighted Germany’s commitment to green energy, with Germany producing 70% of its energy from renewable sources and promoting policies on recycling, waste management, and energy efficiency. She emphasized the importance of Ghana as a partner in Germany’s green initiatives, noting, “We have a very close relationship with Ghana in terms of development cooperation, and we are investing significant resources to support energy production, youth education, and other areas. But all of these efforts could be undermined if Ghana’s rivers are too polluted for safe use by 2030.”

As the country prepares for upcoming elections, Sivine encouraged stakeholders to consider sustainable solutions, proposing alternatives such as regulated mining zones, training for small-scale miners, and eco-friendly equipment.

She said “We know the economic incentive is strong, especially for young people seeking quick profit. But we should be asking, how can we prevent so many from turning to galamsey while still protecting livelihoods and the environment?”

In his address, the Tarkwa Regional Manager for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Moses Kpebu, underscored the interconnected impacts of climate change and galamsey, focusing on the degradation of Ghana’s vital water resources. According to him, previous research had identified several regions, including Western Region of Ghana, as vulnerable to climate impacts. However, he emphasized that these predictions have materialized faster than anticipated, visibly affecting water bodies such as the Tano, Ankobra, and Bonsa rivers. “All our river bodies here are impacted; the color has changed,” he observed, adding that “we use water for a lot of things—mining, industry, and community needs—but polluted water is a threat not just to Ghana but to our neighbors as well.”

Highlighting the potential consequences for Ghana’s energy sector, Mr Kpebu said, “If Burkina Faso decided to do what we are doing and pollute the water as we have, what would happen to Akosombo Dam? Our energy mix would change, and our consumption and production patterns would all be affected.”

Mr Kpebu also discussed the negative effects of galamsey on agriculture, reminding the audience that Western Region is a key cocoa-producing area. With illegal miners competing with farmers for land, cocoa production—a cornerstone of Ghana's economy—is under threat. "There’s a competition between land for cocoa and for minerals," he pointed out. “But minerals aren’t sustainable; you can’t eat them. Cocoa, however, is something we can rely on, even in hard times.” He warned that the encroachment of mining on agricultural land would have dire consequences for Ghana’s economic stability and food security.

The impacts of illegal mining on biodiversity and human health were also central to Kpebu’s address. He described the modern, sophisticated methods employed in small-scale mining, which now closely resemble large-scale operations and are devastating local ecosystems. “The small-scale mining sector has changed,” he stated. “It’s no longer the rudimentary tools of old. Now, they’re using excavators, highly sophisticated equipment, and it’s just like the large-scale operations.”

Kpebu further drew attention to the repercussions for coastal tourism. Citing examples along the Ankobra River, he described how pollution has deterred tourists, leading to the closure of hotels and the loss of revenue in communities that once thrived on eco-tourism. “There are hotels that are going down because people no longer patronize the place,” he noted. “The impacts on tourism are clear. If we decide to pollute our water bodies, where are we going with tourism?”

The impact on national revenue was also emphasized, as climate change reduces cocoa yields and hinders energy production. He revealed that a section of the Ankobra River was earmarked for a hydroelectric project, but this may no longer be feasible due to pollution. “The issue of climate change has caught up with us,” Mr Kpebu warned, calling on the general public to reflect on their roles and contributions toward tackling these issues.

As part of the climate talks, there was a panel discussion moderated by Doreen Ampofo of GBC on the topic; Climate Change and Galamsey-Solutions that worked. The panel was made up of Erastus Asare Donkor, Investigative and Environmental Journalist, Mr Peter Ayikey, PRO-Dunkwa Small Scale Miners Association and Dr Gideon Ofosu-Peasah, Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).

The Climate Talks series brought together small-scale miners, students, youth groups, and civil society groups to dialogue on climate resilience and sustainable development. Stakeholders are committed to exploring innovative and enforceable solutions to preserve Ghana’s natural resources and foster long-term economic stability.