The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Mr Adam Mutawakilu, has highlighted the severe challenges facing the country's water sector, citing the impact of illegal mining, climate change, and inadequate infrastructure. According to Mr Mutawakilu, the situation has resulted in frequent shutdowns, increased maintenance costs, and reduced water supply reliability.

Illegal mining activities have led to significant environmental degradation, causing rivers to become heavily silted and affecting water treatment plants.

This has resulted in increased costs for chemicals and energy, as well as reduced water supply capacity.

To address the crisis, GWL proposes a 24-month catchment recovery plan focused on priority river bodies.

The plan includes riverbank stabilisation, revegetation, targeted dredging, and coordinated land use compliance and community engagement.

The proposed solution aims to:

- Restore abstraction capacity

- Reduce treatment challenges

- Lower specific energy per cubic meter

- Extend asset life by cutting abrasive wear

- Stabilise production and bend the unit cost curve back towards baseline

GWL is calling for a partnership with corporate Ghana, development partners, and government agencies to support the catchment recovery plan.

The company believes that collective action is necessary to address the water crisis and ensure a sustainable water supply for the country's economic development.

The company acknowledged the significant steps taken by the government to combat illegal mining and protect the water environment.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has intensified regulatory enforcement through initiatives such as the Blue Water Guard surveillance operations.

GWL is committed to recovering lost capacity, reducing treatment losses and chemical dosage, lowering specific energy and unit costs, and stabilising service to households, schools, health facilities, and businesses.

The company believes that protecting the source of water is crucial to ensuring water security and that collective action is necessary to achieve this goal.