The people of Tarkwa-Nsueam will face severe challenges in accessing potable drinking water.
The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has announced the closure of the Bonsa Headworks, which provides 75% of Tarkwa-Nsueam Municipality’s potable water in the Western Region.
The decision according to GWL stems from the severe impact of illegal mining, or “galamsey,” on the Bonsa River, making water extraction and treatment unfeasible.
In a statement dated January 2, 2025, signed by Wisdom Doe Akoto, Tarkwa District Manager of GWL, the company emphasized that efforts to mitigate the pollution caused by galamsey have failed, leaving no option but to suspend operations at the facility.
GWL raised alarm over the persistent contamination and urged stakeholders, including local authorities and security agencies, to take decisive steps to address the issue and rehabilitate the river.
The shutdown is expected to disrupt water supply to residents and industries in the municipality, underscoring the critical consequences of illegal mining on vital resources.
Galamsey activities have posed a menace to the nation, as they have destroyed water bodies and land resources in Ghana. At the height of the galamsey menace, Ghanaians were warned the nation will have to import potable water in the coming years if the menace was not curbed.
