Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ing . Dr . Kenneth Ashigbey, has revealed alarming changes in water treatment processes by Ghana Water limited due to the ongoing crisis caused by illegal mining known as galamsey.
‘’We’re losing our livelihoods. You know, in the, in the waters, the fishes, the farmers are losing their livelihoods. There’s a six, there’s a baby that was born with six limbs without any genitalia when the PM was done’’.
According to him the Ghana water limited has shifted from using traditional alum to polymer typically reserved for wastewater treatment raising serious health and safety concerns.
Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the dire consequences of heavy metal toxicity in water sources, which he claimed have led to tragic health anomalies, including reports of infants born with severe deformities.
He emphasized the urgent need for action, warning that water turbidity levels have reached an astonishing 14,000 NTUs, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s standard of 5 NTUs.
This extreme level poses significant risks to public health.
‘’Ghana water has pushed it to 2000. But in August, Ghana water was reporting 14,000 NTUS. And as I was saying, Ghana water in the past will do chlorination’’.
‘’Then they will use aluminum sulfates to do the coagulation. But now they’ve changed. They’re using polymer.’’
Dr. Ashigbey criticized the political delays in addressing the crisis, urging immediate action rather than waiting for the next elections.
Galamsey: Ghana Water Company Ltd now treats water with polymer (which is used for wastewater) instead of alum – Ing. Dr. Ken Ashigbey reveals #GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/FrtZ0CTPnN
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) October 10, 2024
