Water and Sanitation for the Urban Populations (WSUP) Ghana has stressed the need for stronger systems and strategic advocacy to address the devastating impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on the country’s water resources.

Speaking at the launch of WSUP Ghana’s 2025–2030 Business Plan in Accra on September 16, 2025, Country Manager, Frank Kettey, said the fight against “galamsey” is critical to ensuring the sustainability of water supply and urban WASH services.

“You cannot strengthen systems or water service provision when the product or service itself is being undermined by external factors. The impact that ‘galamsey’ is having on our water sources and the quality of supply is well documented across the country,” he said.

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Kettey noted that the availability of water is the foundation for improved service delivery, warning that Ghana risks becoming “water poor” if illegal mining is not curbed.

He emphasised the importance of working with utilities, service providers, and communities to both safeguard water sources and strengthen advocacy at national leadership levels.

“It is for national leadership to acknowledge the importance of stemming this canker. Water, like any other resource, is limited. Safeguarding it is really instrumental,” he indicated.

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According to him, WSUP is supporting utilities to strengthen their systems while promoting education at the community level and pushing for stronger leadership action at the government level.

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Let's tackle galamsey through system strengthening and strategic advocacy - WSUP



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