This environmental crisis threatens public health, ecosystems, and the country’s water security. Let’s explore the scope of the problem, its impacts, and potential solutions.
The Scale of Water Pollution
Ghana’s water bodies are facing unprecedented levels of contamination. According to the Water Resources Commission, about 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are polluted, with many in critical condition [2]. The pollution is particularly severe in the south-western parts of the country, where illegal mining activities, known locally as “galamsey,” are widespread [2].
The Ghana Water Company has been forced to reduce its clean water supply by a staggering 75% due to pollution, impacting hundreds of thousands of residents across the southern coast[1]. This reduction is a direct result of illegal gold mining on major water bodies in the Eastern, Ashanti, Central, and Western Regions.
The Role of Illegal Mining
Illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, is the primary driver of water pollution in Ghana. This practice involves both Ghanaians and foreigners, including Chinese nationals and individuals from neighbouring West African countries [4]. The scale of the problem is massive – between 2008 and 2013 alone, over 50,000 Chinese nationals entered Ghana to engage in illegal gold mining[4].
Environmental Impact
The environmental consequences of galamsey are severe and far-reaching:
- **River Contamination**: Major rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, Oti, Offin, and Birim have been heavily contaminated[4]. The Pra River, one of the largest in the country and a main source of drinking water for local communities, is particularly affected [1].
- **Forest Destruction**: The Forestry Commission reports that 34 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves have been impacted by illegal mining, with 4,726 hectares of forest land devastated [4].
- **Farmland Damage**: Galamsey is destroying farmlands, particularly affecting cocoa production. In the Mankurum community alone, over 100,000 acres of cocoa have been wiped out due to illegal mining[4].
Health Implications
The health consequences of water pollution from mining activities are severe and wide-ranging:
- **Chronic Diseases**: Research links water pollution from galamsey to chronic diseases such as kidney failure, birth defects, and cancer[4]. These health issues are particularly prevalent in Ghana’s mining communities.
- **Heavy Metal Contamination**: Studies have found high levels of heavy metals in water bodies near mining sites. Lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, iron, and zinc have been detected at levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines[3].
- **Mercury Poisoning**: Illegal miners often use mercury to separate gold, which then contaminates water sources. Dr. Elliot Tanner reports that mercury from mines is killing people, with a tripling of kidney disease cases in the Ashanti region over the past decade[5].
Economic Impact
The economic consequences of water pollution from mining are significant:
- **Agricultural Losses**: Ghana’s cocoa industry, a crucial part of the economy, is suffering. Current production is less than 55% of its seasonal output, largely due to illegal mining activities[4].
- **Water Treatment Costs**: The Ghana Water Company Limited has reported turbidity levels of 14,000 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) in some water sources, far above the 2,000 NTU required for adequate treatment[4]. This increased pollution leads to higher water treatment costs and potential water scarcity.
- **Future Water Scarcity**: Experts warn that if the current trend continues, Ghana could be forced to import water by 2030[4].
Government Response
The Ghanaian government has implemented various measures to combat illegal mining and its impact on water resources:
- **Legislative Measures**: The Small-scale Gold Mining Act of 1989 and the 2006 Minerals and Mining Act were introduced to legalize artisanal mining and prevent illegal activities[4].
- **Task Forces**: Joint task forces comprising military and other security personnel have been established. In 2013, this led to the deportation of 4,500 Chinese miners[4].
4.**Inter-Ministerial Committee**: In 2017, President Nana Akufo-Addo set up the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining[4].
5.**Military Operations**: The government has launched several military operations, including Operation Halt, Operation Vanguard, Operation Flush Out, and Galamstop[4].
- **Legal Action**: As of September 2024, 76 people have been convicted since August 2021, with over 850 facing trial for galamsey-related offenses[4].
- **Community Mining Programs**: The state has introduced regulated small-scale mining programs to ensure responsible extraction[4].
Challenges in Addressing the Issue
Despite these efforts, the problem of water pollution from illegal mining persists. Several factors contribute to the difficulty in addressing this issue:
- **Political Interests**: Key state officials, politicians, and party financiers have been implicated in illegal mining activities but have not faced prosecution[4].
- **Economic Dependence**: Many communities rely on illegal mining as a source of income. A WaterAid survey found that over three-quarters of those involved in illegal mining saw it as a lucrative income source, despite being aware of its environmental impacts[1].
- **Climate Change**: Extreme weather events are pushing more people, particularly those living in poverty, into illegal mining activities as traditional sources of employment like farming become less reliable [1].
- **Enforcement Challenges**: Despite numerous initiatives, the government has struggled to effectively enforce environmental laws and regulations.
Potential Solutions
Addressing Ghana’s water pollution crisis will require a multi-faceted approach:
- **Stricter Enforcement**: The government must strengthen its enforcement of existing laws and regulations, ensuring that all offenders, regardless of their political or economic status, face consequences.
- **Advanced Technologies**: Implementing advanced water treatment technologies could help mitigate the impact of pollution. These include adsorption, ion exchanges, electrokinetic processes, chemical precipitation, phytobial remediation, and membrane technology[3].
- **Community Engagement**: Involving local communities in conservation efforts and providing alternative livelihoods could reduce dependence on illegal mining.
- **Education and Awareness**: Comprehensive public education campaigns about the dangers of water pollution and the importance of conservation could help change behaviors.
- **International Cooperation**: Collaborating with neighboring countries and international organizations could provide additional resources and expertise in combating illegal mining and water pollution.
- **Investment in Water Infrastructure**: Significant investment in water treatment and distribution infrastructure is needed to ensure clean water access for all Ghanaians.
- **Sustainable Mining Practices**: Promoting and enforcing sustainable mining practices in both large-scale and small-scale operations could significantly reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion
The water pollution crisis in Ghana, largely driven by illegal mining activities, poses a severe threat to public health, the environment, and the country’s economic future. While the government has made efforts to address the issue, the problem persists, highlighting the need for more robust, multi-faceted solutions.
Addressing this crisis will require political will, community engagement, technological innovation, and significant investment in water infrastructure. The stakes are high – failure to act decisively could lead to a future where Ghana, despite its abundant natural resources, faces severe water scarcity.
As Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, WaterAid Ghana Country Director, aptly puts it: “This is not just a problem for the country’s most marginalized; it threatens us all. Water contamination means higher costs and tariffs, while mercury and heavy metals are poisoning our food supply. The time for well-intentioned words is over. The government must act now. Future generations are counting on us. The history books will judge our inaction.”[1]
The path forward is clear, but challenging. It will require the collective effort of government, communities, and international partners to ensure that Ghana’s water resources are protected and preserved for current and future generations. The time for decisive action is now.
Citations:
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10367323/
[4] https://issafrica.org/iss-today/ghana-must-stop-galamsey-before-it-sinks-the-country
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Xv0MoRxPM
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010023000513
[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22009596
[8] https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-58119653
Africa Bulletin Correspondent
