Accra: The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, has stated that declaring a state of emergency in areas affected by illegal mining will not offer a sustainable solution to Ghana's deteriorating water bodies. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, Mr. Mutawakilu emphasized the need for pragmatic and permanent measures to combat the issues of pollution and siltation affecting the country's water resources.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Mutawakilu highlighted that illegal mining, or galamsey, is a significant contributor to the pollution and siltation issues, but the problem extends beyond mining activities. He argued that declaring a state of emergency would only cause miners to relocate to other areas, potentially leading to a nationwide emergency. Instead, he called for practical interventions that address the root causes of the issue.
Mr. Mutawakilu acknowledged the government's efforts, including the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which have shown positive results in reducing pollution and improving surface water clarity. However, he noted that riverbeds remain heavily silted, posing a threat to the operation of GWL's treatment plants. He commended President John Dramani Mahama for implementing measures such as registering and tracking mining excavators and deploying security task forces.
The Managing Director emphasized that the problem is not solely due to illegal mining. He pointed out that other human activities, such as sand winning, construction along riverbanks, farming too close to water bodies, and refuse dumping, also contribute significantly to siltation. He noted that even regions without illegal mining activities experience siltation.
Mr. Mutawakilu explained that many of GWL's treatment intakes, including those at Owabi, Mampong, and several other locations, are heavily silted, which reduces water flow and treatment capacity. He revealed that the company had already spent significant amounts on emergency dredging to maintain plant functionality, with GH? 64 million spent on dredging at Owabi and GH? 13.8 million at Mampong last year.
Ghana Water Limited is currently seeking GH? 300 million for a comprehensive desilting exercise across all treatment intakes, excluding Barekese, which requires separate intervention. Mr. Mutawakilu called for support from Corporate Ghana, development partners, and government institutions, stressing that this is a national water security issue affecting various sectors.
He warned that persistent siltation levels would severely compromise the company's ability to meet water demand during the dry season. He praised the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources for their collaboration with GWL in safeguarding water bodies.
Mr. Mutawakilu urged stakeholders to adopt a unified approach that balances enforcement with long-term rehabilitation. He introduced GWL's 24-month Catchment Recovery Plan, which aims to stabilize riverbanks, re-vegetate erosion-prone areas, dredge intake channels, and engage local communities in preserving buffer zones. He expressed confidence that the plan, if supported, would restore production capacity, reduce treatment costs, and lower energy consumption.
