- Riverbank stabilisation and revegetation at erosion hotspots will reduce sediment inflow and prevent a nationwide water crisis in Ghana.
- Targeted desilting and stricter land-use regulation to protect riparian zones and ensure steady water abstraction.
Ghana Water Limited’s Managing Director, Adam Mutawakilu, has warned strongly about the country’s looming nationwide water crisis. He stressed that illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, continues to endanger water sources and could soon cause severe national shortages and major economic disruptions.
At a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 20, Mutawakilu described the situation as urgent. He said that without firm action, water supply systems across the country would face collapse. He called for a collective national effort to protect and restore Ghana’s water resources before the damage becomes irreversible.
The water chief explained that heavy siltation in rivers and dams has become a full-blown environmental crisis. Ghana Water Limited urgently needs GH₵300 million for emergency desilting at several treatment plants. This estimate excludes the Barekese Dam, which has been severely affected and requires a separate, large-scale recovery project.
Last year alone, the company spent GH₵77.8 million dredging the Owabi and Mampong water bodies to keep them functional. These unplanned costs show how bad the situation has become. In several areas, pumps sit deep in sludge, while some riverbeds are so shallow that people can walk across them.
As a result, Ghana Water has switched from traditional alum treatment to expensive imported polymers at plants such as Barekese, Odaso, and Konongo. This change has pushed chemical costs up by nearly 400 per cent.
The wider economic effects are severe. Mutawakilu warned that hotels, restaurants, and event centres would struggle to cope with erratic supply. Schools and hospitals risk rationing, which threatens hygiene and public health. Manufacturers will face costly interruptions, while real estate developers must spend more on backup water systems.
Despite calls for President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency, Mutawakilu believes that approach would not solve the issue. He explained that illegal miners would relocate to new areas, spreading the problem.
Instead, Ghana Water has introduced a 24-month catchment recovery plan targeting eight key river systems. According to Mutawakilu, these measures aim to shift from emergency responses to structured interventions that stabilise production, reduce energy use, and extend equipment lifespan.
He noted that galamsey is not the only cause. Sand winning, farming near rivers, and illegal construction contribute heavily to siltation. The Barekese Dam alone holds almost six million cubic metres of silt, requiring enormous funding for restoration.
There have been some successes. The Kwanyako Water Treatment Plant has returned to full operation after rehabilitation works. However, Mutawakilu warned that falling river levels during the dry season could quickly undo these gains.
He commended the government for creating the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, led by the Ministries of Lands, Natural Resources, and Sanitation. These measures have improved surface water clarity in some areas, but the riverbeds remain clogged.
Mutawakilu urged government agencies, corporate bodies, and development partners to fund nationwide desilting efforts. He stressed that this is not just a Ghana Water issue but a national water security emergency. Ghana faces worsening shortages that could weaken its economy and threaten public well-being without action.
As the dry season nears, his warning is clear: Ghana must act now to stop illegal mining and restore its rivers, or face a deepening nationwide water crisis that will affect every household and industry.