Prof Chris Gordon, Founding Director of Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana, has expressed deep concerns over the irreversible damage caused by illegal mining, or galamsey, to Ghana’s water resources.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show in response to JoyNews’ recent documentary ‘Poisoned Rivers,’ Prof Gordon highlighted the severe impact of illegal mining activities on Ghana’s rivers and water bodies. Despite ongoing efforts to curb galamsey, he does not foresee a resolution that would restore the safety of these water sources within his lifetime.
“The chemicals used in illegal mining operations are devastating our environment and posing serious public health risks,” Prof Gordon explained. He pointed out that contaminants such as heavy metals, hormones, and petrochemicals are not only polluting the water but are also infiltrating the soil and groundwater. “Once water is contaminated, it affects not only the soil but also infiltrates the groundwater,” he added.
Mercury contamination, a byproduct of these mining activities, is a particular concern due to its far-reaching and long-lasting impact on ecosystems and human health. “The scale of the pollution is immense,” Prof Gordon noted. “Our entire water supply network and aquatic ecosystem have been severely compromised. I don’t see a solution in my lifetime.”
Prof Gordon warned that the consequences of galamsey have escalated from a localized issue to a nationwide crisis, significantly impacting biodiversity and the health of aquatic ecosystems. “Water acts as a transporter,” he explained. “Any issue upstream affects the entire catchment area downstream. The intensity of pollution has shifted from chronic to acute, compromising many biodiversity hotspots and endemic species.”
He also stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that some individuals have already resorted to importing bottled water due to a lack of confidence in the safety of local water sources. “On the shelves of some supermarkets, you have imported bottled water that is sold. There are people who don’t trust the water in this country, so they buy, and so the importation is happening already,” he remarked.
Prof Gordon’s observations align with warnings from environmental scientists about the long-term degradation of Ghana’s water resources. He anticipates that Ghana may need to import water much sooner than previously predicted by the Ghana Water Company, which had forecasted this scenario for the future.
About Prof Chris Gordon
Prof Chris Gordon is an environmental scientist with extensive experience in limnology and aquatic resource management. His work focuses on the biodiversity and functioning of coastal, wetland, and freshwater systems. He has made significant contributions to the Ghana National Climate Change Policy Framework and the 2013 National Climate Change Policy. Prof Gordon has been actively involved in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, particularly concerning water, coastal wetlands, and catchment basin conservation.
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