News
Surge in cost of water treatment …due to ‘galamsey’ activities
Amidu Musah
The cost of water treatment and production has shot up lately due to the impact of ‘galamsey’ activities on Ghana’s water bodies, the Tema Regional Chief Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Amidu Musah, has hinted.
According to him, the cost of chemicals for treating water has gone up because the GWCL is forced to use more expensive and potent chemicals like Polymer instead of Alum to treat the raw water.
This, he said, was as a result of the impact of illegal mining activities around the water bodies.
The activities of these ‘galamseyers’, he noted have become rampant and was of the view that if nothing was done about it, water would soon become a very expensive commodity.
MrMusah made the disclosure last Friday in Tema on the observation of World Water Day.
The event was held in Tema by the Tema Regional Office for the GWCL, having in attendance school children who were schooled on the need to preserve the country’s water bodies.
It was under the theme ‘leveraging water for peace’.
Addressing the participants at the event, MrMusah, admitted that ‘galamsey’ and sand winning operations have negatively have an impact on freshwater resources.
“The final consumer, which includes you and me as well as our industry, is ultimately affected by the activities of these miners because it has consequences on our health and finances,” he disclosed.
According to him, it was important for the respective bodies to come out with pragmatic and collaborative measures, and actions on a variety of fronts to maintain or improve the quality of water from the sources.
“The purpose of World Water Day is to inspire action. We are all now accountable for this. On this day, let us all promise to contribute to the solution. Let’s raise awareness on the value of water conservation among ourselves and others,” he said.
The Regional Chief Manager called for support to assist groups devoted to sustainable water management by using the power of collaboration of everyone to help improve the situation.
He also called for a more responsible use of water for both domestic and commercial activities and prompt payment of water bills to help the GWCL to continue to serve their clients, noting that life will definitely be more difficult if the public cannot get access to potable water in the home.
Sharing her thoughts about the event, a 16-year-old pupil, Edem Caroline Gorvina expressed worry about the health and future of Ghanaian children because in her view, there appears to be no end in sight for the destruction of the country’s water bodies through ‘galamsey’ activities.
The young pupil who is the Girls’ Prefect of the Republic Road Junior High School (JHS) said she was convinced that much work has not been done to protect the water bodies in the various communities where ‘galamsey’ is prevalent.
“We must stop them from destroying our water bodies,” she said without mincing words as she expressed fear that the country might soon find itself in a situation where there would not be safe water for the citizenry.
The final year student said it was worrying that there was a lot of information on the illegal activities of miners but very little was being done to curb the practice.
“Seriously, I feel we are losing the war on ‘galamsey’, that is, if we have not lost already. It appears we have become helpless and have given up on these people endangering our future,” she added.
The event brought together pupils from some schools from the Tema Metropolis namely the Pentecost School, Mante-Din School and the Republic Road School.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
Members of the Lions and Leo clubs have undertaken a month-long e-waste awareness campaign to mark Environment Month in April.
They comprise of the Tema Supreme Leo Club, Tema Supreme Lions Club, Kumasi Adehyee Leo Club, Accra Sankofa Leo Club, Regional Maritime University Leo Club and Koforidua UTech Leo Club under Lions Clubs International District 418, Ghana.
The initiative, which commenced on April 1, combined digital outreach with community engagement to highlight the risks associated with improper disposal of electronic waste.
As part of the exercise, organisers rolled out a sustained social media campaign on platforms including Facebook and Instagram, featuring educational videos, animations, photo stories, interactive content such as puzzles and riddles, and perspectives from device repairers.
An online Google meet forum was also organised, bringing together resource persons from various Lions and Leo Clubs to discuss the realities of e-waste and its implications for public health and the environment.
To conclude the campaign, participants visited the Agbogbloshie E-waste Site to engage workers and document conditions at the site.
The project, themed “From Waste to Worth: Rethinking E-Waste in Ghana,” provided a platform for interaction with scrap dealers and workers who depend on this informal recycling process for their livelihoods.
Discussions centred on the risks associated with current disposal practices, particularly the burning of electronic materials, the risk of working without protective boots, hand gloves and masks which poses serious health and environmental concerns.
Project Lead, Leo Priscilla Ofei-Mensah, said the initiative aimed to deepen understanding and promote responsible practices and later provide some working essentials and training on safe recycling processes.
“Impact happens when we understand the problem. When people are aware of the dangers, they can make safer choices for themselves, their families and their communities,” she stated.
Agbogbloshie is one of the country’s major informal processing centres for discarded electronic devices, where materials such as copper and aluminium are recovered. While the activity provides a source of income, it also exposes workers and nearby residents to hazardous substances.
During interactions with the workers, many indicated that economic hardship and limited employment opportunities had led them into the trade.
She noted that the exercise forms part of a broader environmental focus and represents the beginning of sustained efforts to address the e-waste challenge.
She indicated that future interventions would promote safer alternatives that support livelihoods while improving environmental and health conditions.
Partner organisations also contributed to the initiative.
Creative Director at Inkspire Creative Studio, Alexander Annan highlighted the need for responsible management of electronic devices.
In addition, founder for Smiles in Colour, Mercy Peprah Asare drew attention to the health risks, particularly among children in affected communities.
We Communicate Impact handled documentation and storytelling, while Samrich Photography Foundation supported the production process and facilitated youth participation in a photography training initiative.
The team at the end of the activity expressed optimism that the campaign would encourage individuals and institutions to adopt more responsible approaches to electronic waste management. A documentary capturing conditions at the site is expected to be released.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Bono East Regional Police Command has arrested two men for possessing suspected narcotic drugs without lawful authority following a patrol operation at Kintampo.
In a press release dated April 27, 2026, the police said the suspects, identified as Sadic Wemah, 42, and Senbeti Karim, 39, were arrested on April 26 at about 12:40 p.m.
According to the statement, a patrol team from the New Longoro Police Station intercepted an unregistered white Toyota Highlander on the Kintampo–New Longoro road. The vehicle, which was coming from the Kintampo direction, was searched by officers.
Police said the search uncovered two sacks containing 166 parcels of dried plant material suspected to be cannabis.
The suspects were arrested at the scene and taken to the Kintampo Divisional Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations. During interrogation, they admitted the substance was cannabis and claimed ownership, the police said.
The statement added that the suspects told investigators they bought the substance from a man identified only as Edem, also known as “Confirm,” who allegedly transports cannabis from the Volta Region through Tamale.
They further indicated that they received the drugs at a filling station near the new market in Kintampo and intended to transport them to Banda Nkwanta in the Bono Region for sale.
Police estimated the street value of the seized substance at about GH¢107,000.
The suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while the exhibits, including the suspected cannabis and the vehicle, have been retained for evidential purposes.
The Bono East Regional Police Command said it remains committed to fighting drug trafficking and related crimes.
It assured the public that efforts are underway to arrest other persons linked to the case, including the said Edem.
By: Jacob Aggrey
