Galamsey affecting water production in Ghana - GWCL MD

The Managing Director (MD) of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) Ing Dr Clifford Braimah has bemoaned the level of water pollution in the country indicating that it gravely affects the production of water for both domestic and industrial use.

He observes that the phenomenon threatens the future of the country as water is the very essence of life and livelihood of the Ghanaian people for which reason it continues to threaten the ability of the company to produce water to meet domestic consumption.

“The menace of illegal and unsustainable mining popularly known as “galamsey” threatens the ability of the GWCL to continue producing water to meet the domestic and industrial needs of Ghana. As we celebrate workers’ day, the GWCL implores all persons involved in the business of galamsey to stop the illegal and criminal trade and to apply themselves to honest labour”, he said in a message commemorating the May Day’s celebrations.

Dr Braimah hinted of plans to commission a comprehensive audit of all water bodies in Ghana in order to map out the state of our water bodies and the extent of interferences from illegal gold mining and other pollution.

He indicated that as the main agency of government on water, the quality of water produced and distributed matters to GWCL which has been observing developments within the last four (4) months with concern and great apprehension.

“The audit when completed will give the company a scientific impression of the water stock available to the country and the extent of deterioration in water quality in the light of human interventions. In addition to this, the company will explore ways of bolstering communities’ sense of ownership of water bodies with the view to empowering them to police water bodies that pass through their communities”, he emphasized.

The GCWL boss reiterated the company’s resolve to partner with government in the fight against the pollution and contamination of our water bodies and the provision of safe and affordable water for the consumption of Ghanaians.

To this end, he called on all Ghanaians to cooperate with the government and the company in the various initiatives put in place to combat the ongoing menace and to restore our water bodies to their natural states for our good and the good of future generations yet unborn.