By Yvonne Atilego & Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources says it is grappling with illegal mining activities on river bodies. Sector Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah speaking during a media briefing in Accra added that a chunk of money goes into water treatment which does not augur well as it works to provide water for all. She served a warning to those who continue to desecrate water bodies with such activities to stop, pointing out that the intermittent power supply and other challenges affect the delivery of water for all.
“The biggest and the most serious challenge is this phenomenon of illegal mining or galamsey on our water bodies. This has created huge problems for our water systems, and our concerns, I must stress that if we are borrowing close to USD1 billion for projects, and the raw water is contaminated, polluted for the machines to be drawing out mud, where are we going? And what are we doing to our water bodies?” she asked.
Visibly seen displeased, Madam Dapaah, further disclosed that most of those engaged in illegal mining activities are citizens.
“We have our own people mining within and around our river bodies and buffer areas, this must stop!!”
The Minister among other things said a House-to-House Audit will commence in dealing with illegal connections particularly now that water is becoming scarce.
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