Nana Yaw Barima Barnieh, Communications Manager of Ghana Water Limited for the Western and Central regions, has stated that the consequences of illegal mining activities, popularly known as "galamsey", are dire.
He emphasised that the impact of galamsey on river bodies is tantamount to murder.
His comments follow the announcement by GWL that Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities in the Central Region will face water challenges due to galamsey.
GWL explained in a statement that pollution in the catchment area has reduced water intake to a minimal level, with approximately 60% of the catchment capacity silted due to galamsey.
The company noted that the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has experienced a significant demand-supply gap due to inadequate raw water intake, caused by pollution of the Pra River.
In an interview with Selorm Adonoo on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Nana Barnieh pointed out that individuals destroying water bodies through gold-digging are essentially taking lives. "[The situation] is dire as the word dire.
Galamsey in water bodies, river bodies is tantamount to murder.
We all say all the time that water is life, so for somebody to enter a river body that is the source of drinking water for millions of people in a country to dig for gold and by so doing polluting that water beyond treatment, that person is taking your water away from you and by extension he's taking your life from you.
So, galamsey on river bodies is nothing but murder." He emphasized the urgent need to address the situation before it spirals out of control, noting that if the turbidity of the water exceeds 1,500, it becomes impossible to treat. "Galamsey is not only taking place in River Pra, it's also so huge on Birim River.
And on Birim River, we have about four plants.
In the Bonsu and the Osino plants, if the turbidity goes beyond 1,000 or at most 1,500, the plant is unable to treat the water. "If the water is so dirty and goes beyond 1,000 or 1,500 at Bonsu or Osino, the plant is shut down."