The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Water and Sanitation, Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, says the ongoing destruction of Ghana’s river bodies by illegal miners must be treated as a matter of national emergency.
Hon. Ahenkorah Marfo, who is also MP for Achiase, made the call during the Committee’s working visit to the Western Region to assess the state of water resources, supply systems, and sanitation.
“The current destruction of our river bodies by galamsey operators should be a matter of urgency. If we don’t take care, we will face a terrible moment as a country,” he warned.
He disclosed that some members of the Committee were moved to tears after witnessing the extent of water pollution firsthand.
“What we have seen will be reported to Mr. Speaker to begin a strong campaign against water pollution,” Hon. Ahenkorah Marfo said.
Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, has created a severe environmental and public health crisis in Ghana. By 2026, over 60% of the country’s water bodies are polluted. The extensive use of toxic chemicals and destruction of watersheds have turned major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim into muddy, unusable waterways, creating serious sanitation and water safety challenges.
The Committee visited the Daboase Water Treatment Plant, Inchaban Water Treatment Plant, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, and held engagements with Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly, and Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. John Kwabena Bless Oti, MP for Nkwanta North, said Ghana is facing a major water crisis and the visit was to identify the causes and recommend solutions to Parliament.
“Ghana is facing a serious water crisis. This visit is to assess the causes of destruction and how we can solve the problem through the report we will present to Parliament,” he stated.
The MP for Prestea Huni-Valley, Hon. Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, said communities have been forced to create small water supply systems due to river pollution, but maintenance remains a major challenge.
“Because of the water pollution, we’ve created small community water supply systems to help affected communities. But the problem we face is maintenance,” Hon. Cudjoe explained.
The Committee’s findings are expected to inform urgent parliamentary action to protect Ghana’s water bodies and ensure safe water for millions of citizens.
By James Akwetey
