The University of Mines and Technology, UMat, in Tarkwa has developed a technology that will be able to clean polluted water bodies in Ghana.
The technology, according to the Vice-Chancellor of the school, Prof. Richard Kwesi Amakwah when adopted will clean water bodies that has been polluted as a result of illegal mining.
The tried and tested technology in some river bodies in Tarkwa awaits an entry permit from the Water Resources Commission to apply the technology on a larger water course.
The Vice Chancellor delivered the good news at a meeting with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
The state of major rivers in Ghana – Tano, Birim, Ankobrah and Pra among others, have worsened since illegal mining reached its highest point in recent times. While most communities blessed with such natural resources now have no option than to resort to sachet water use for domestic purposes, the Ghana Water Company is unable to treat the water for its clients and consumers due to the turbidity of the commodity, forcing the company’s treatment plant in some regions to shut down on some occasions.
For the University of Mines and Technology, UMat, since the colloidal particles in the water bodies could not settle at the bottom of the river on their own, its technology would force the particles to settle through the use of environmentally friendly ions. And that is just one out of their four innovative plans on the table to help clamp down on illegal mining in Ghana.
Impressed with the effort, the sector Minister, Mr. Samuel Jinapor, committed to partner UMat to tap into their expertise to win the fight against galamsey.
When he called on the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketiah, the traditional authority labelled those involved in galamsey as criminals, who should be treated as such.
The Minister urged them to invigorate their subjects to save the country’s natural resources.
Mr. Jinapor also engaged forestry commission officials and security heads at separate meeting, reminding them to strictly apply the laws without fear or favour.
