The National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) has issued a warning that Ghana may soon be forced to import large quantities of water due to widespread illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
Mr. Agyapong Ntrah, the Public Relations Officer for NASPAWAP, stated that the country is just six years away from a national water crisis that will necessitate the importation of clean drinking water.
Mr. Ntrah recounted a 2017 meeting with the management of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), where officials warned that if authorities failed to address illegal mining, the country would be importing water within 15 years.
Since that declaration was made in 2017, the country is now left with only six years before this prediction could materialise.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5, Mr. Ntrah called for authorities to be ruthless in dealing with illegal miners.
He described the illegal miners as “nation wreckers and criminals” who must be dealt with decisively because they are destroying natural resources and creating a crisis that will impact the nation for years to come.
“As far back as 2017, we engaged management of GWCL in a meeting… During the meeting, the former Managing Director, Ing. Dr. Clifford Abdallah Braimah told us that if authorities did not address illegal mining, we would be importing water in large quantities in 15 years. That was 2017… we are now in 2025 so that means, we are left with six years for this declaration or prophecy to come to pass,” he stated.
Mr. Ntrah added that the galamsey menace is a significant threat that must be addressed immediately, and he supports a more drastic approach beyond just declaring a state of emergency.
He concluded by saying, “We are at a crossroads; our water sources have been destroyed through illegal mining and we don’t have to wait any longer in dealing with the crisis.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
