By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
Ghana stands on the precipice of a grave potable water crisis unless decisive, nationwide action is taken to halt the relentless contamination of its water bodies, Dr. Clifford Braimah, former Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited, has cautioned.
Speaking during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, April 28, Dr. Braimah warned that escalating concentrations of heavy metals in the nation’s water sources pose an existential threat to long-term water security and public health.
While illegal mining, or galamsey, is frequently vilified as the principal culprit of water degradation, Dr. Braimah stressed that the menace runs far deeper, rooted in pervasive everyday human conduct.
“It is true that we will soon risk running out of water. I keep on repeating that some of the heavy metals we find in our water do not necessarily come from galamsey. There are a lot of activities that are dangerous if we don’t improve.”
He painted a stark picture of unchecked urban practices silently poisoning the nation’s lifelines.
“You go everywhere, and you see mechanics, electricians, etc. and they get everything out there and poorly dispose them off and when it rains, the heavy metals seep into our water system. So one critical thing is to clear our catchment areas.”
According to Dr. Braimah, the cumulative impact of improper waste disposal, industrial effluent, and artisanal runoff could prove catastrophic if not arrested through stringent environmental enforcement and catchment protection.
He underscored that safeguarding Ghana’s water future demands more than anti-galamsey rhetoric — it requires a cultural overhaul in waste management, rigorous policing of catchment zones, and sustained public education.
The former GWL chief’s admonition comes amid mounting concerns over treatment costs, water rationing, and the deteriorating quality of raw water reaching treatment plants nationwide.