North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (NDC), has issued a strong warning to Parliament, urging urgent and decisive measures against illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” to prevent the irreversible destruction of Ghana’s water bodies.
During today’s parliamentary session, Mr. Ablakwa expressed deep concern about the alarming rate at which the country’s rivers are being degraded due to galamsey activities. He specifically pointed to the dire situation in the Central Region, where the Pra River, once a crucial water source, is now severely polluted.
“Mr. Speaker, the turbidity levels in the Pra River have skyrocketed beyond 14,000 NTU, far exceeding the acceptable standard of around 2,000 NTU. This extreme pollution has forced authorities to implement water rationing, leading to shortages in many communities, not just in the Central Region, but also extending to the capital and other regions of the country,” he noted.
Mr. Ablakwa, who serves as the chair of Parliament’s Assurances Committee, called on Parliament to utilize its current two-day recall to summon the Ministers responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, Environment, and Water Resources. He demanded a comprehensive briefing on the actions being taken to address the galamsey crisis and safeguard the nation’s water bodies.
He warned that Ghana is facing an existential threat, highlighting that the Ghana Water Company has indicated that if the current trend continues, the country may have to resort to importing water within the next two to three years.
Mr. Ablakwa appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to ensure that before the House adjourns, the relevant ministers must appear before Parliament to provide detailed updates on their efforts to combat galamsey. He emphasized that apart from the Volta River, nearly all of Ghana’s major rivers have been severely impacted by illegal mining.
Mr. Ablakwa also raised concern about the public health risks associated with polluted water, citing reports from health professionals about increasing cases of medical conditions linked to the consumption of contaminated food and water.
He lamented that health practitioners are finding lead, cyanide, and mercury in the food people are consuming, leading to various health issues with pregnant women experiencing complications, and babies being born with deformities.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed grave concern that the battle against galamsey seems to be failing.
He made a special appeal to the Speaker to ensure that the ministers responsible for addressing this issue are summoned to outline the steps they are taking to combat this menace.