The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has warned that illegal mining activities polluting water bodies and degrading the environment in the Central and Western regions are threatening raw surface water for treatment by the company in the area.

At present, raw water flowing to the GWCL intake points in the two regions have high levels of sludge, which increases operational and maintenance cost significantly, and makes the production process strenuous.

Government has consequently renewed the commitment towards the fight against illegal mining, popularly called galamsey, warning that the perpetrators would not be spared, irrespective of their status in society or political affiliation.

Renewed commitment

Speaking after a joint ministerial tour of various water stations in the Central and Western regions, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, said government would combat illegal mining in the country’s water bodies head-on.

The tour was part of a general nationwide fact-finding exercise to come to terms with the state of the nation’s water bodies, particularly with the worsening levels of illegal mining activities.