Ghana could require a minimum of $300 million to restore its polluted water bodies - EPA reveals
Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an urgent initiative to clean up water bodies polluted by illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey.’ This large-scale operation, fully endorsed by the government, seeks to restore heavily contaminated rivers and lakes to improve water quality for both human consumption and the environment. EPA officials have already begun collecting water samples and reviewing proposals from environmental rehabilitation firms. Given the extensive damage, restoring just a fraction of these water bodies could cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade. Experts estimate that rehabilitating 20 percent of affected river basins could require up to $400 million, covering environmental monitoring, water treatment, and land reclamation efforts.
In addition to water purification, the EPA aims to reclaim lands devastated by illegal mining, restoring them for agricultural and ecological use. The scale of damage caused by galamsey has severely affected public health, food production, and economic sustainability. As part of the effort, the agency is exploring international partnerships and donor funding to support the enormous financial burden of the cleanup. Meanwhile, Davis Ansah Opoku, the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, has called for the establishment of a national water fund. This proposed initiative would allocate dedicated resources to treat and rehabilitate polluted water bodies, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to environmental restoration.
The success of this cleanup initiative will be closely monitored by environmental advocates, policymakers, and the general public. If implemented effectively, it could serve as a model for future interventions, ensuring the sustainability of Ghana’s water resources. The ongoing degradation of the country’s rivers and lakes underscores the urgency of immediate and long-term interventions. With the right strategies, adequate funding, and strong enforcement against illegal mining, Ghana can work towards a future where clean water is accessible to all, safeguarding both human health and the nation’s natural ecosystems.
