CHIEFS HOLD THE KEY TO ENDING GALAMSEY – GWL MD

The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Mutawakilu Adam, has urged chiefs and traditional leaders to take the lead in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), warning that government efforts will fail without their active involvement.

Speaking at a meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Mr. Adam said chiefs hold significant authority over land and community decisions, making them key actors in either enabling or combating galamsey.

“There is no illegal miner who goes to a community without greeting the chief. Chiefs give the lands out. They must support the government so we can fight this menace,” he stressed.

Mr. Adam warned that continued pollution of water bodies by galamsey operators threatens Ghana’s water supply, cautioning that the nation could face a severe water crisis if the situation persists.

He revealed that GWL is being forced to spend more on treatment chemicals like poly-electrolyte and to install horizontal pumps to deal with high turbidity levels in rivers caused by mining waste.

“If we don’t fight illegal mining, it will get worse. We won’t have water to drink,” he said, adding that while GWL is adopting technical solutions, prevention remains the most effective approach.

Mr. Adam commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for its ongoing efforts but insisted that traditional leaders must take ownership of the problem to ensure lasting success.

He disclosed that GWL now collects hourly turbidity data from major rivers and plans to share this with the Lands Ministry to help target enforcement operations more effectively.

“The president is determined to fight it, and that is why we are all here,” he added. “But we need the full support of Ghanaians, especially the chiefs.”