CAPPA, African Activists Demand End to Poisoning of Water Bodies in Ghana

By Tina Amanda

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and nine other human rights organizations across seven African countries have called on the Ghanaian government to urgently stop the ongoing poisoning of water bodies, lands, aquatic life, and public health by illegal miners.

In a statement released on Sunday under the banner of the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC), the groups expressed solidarity with Ghanaians protesting the destructive impact of illegal mining, known locally as ‘galamsey’.

They emphasized that access to safe drinking water is a globally recognized human right and criticized the government for failing to address the crisis.

OWORAC warned that the government’s inaction is endangering public health and threatening the livelihoods of communities dependent on these water sources. The coalition urged authorities to begin remediation of affected water bodies and lands and to enforce strict regulations compelling miners to adopt sustainable and responsible practices.

The statement was endorsed by several OWORAC partners, including Geoffrey Kabutey Ocansey (Revenue Mobilisation Africa, Ghana), Omeme Gaslin (Génération Eau Claire, Gabon), Akinbode Oluwafemi (CAPPA, Nigeria), Betty Abah (Centre for Children’s Health Education, Nigeria), Pascal Bekono (African Centre for Advocacy, Cameroon), Anne Maine (Biodiversity and Biosafety Association, Kenya), Chief Ewuokem Godson (SYNATEEC SYNDICATE, Cameroon), Sani Baba (Citizens Free Service Forum, Nigeria), Amaka Nweke (Network for Water Rights Initiative, Nigeria), and Oumar Ba (Confédération de Syndicats Autonomes du Sénégal).

In the statement titled “GALAMSEY: OWORAC Stands in Solidarity with the Ghanaian People, Demands an End to the Pollution of Water Sources,”
the coalition condemned the widespread use of harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide in illegal mining operations, which contaminate water systems and farming soils. This pollution, they warned, has devastated rivers such as the Densu, Birim, Pra, Ankobra, and Tano, leading to dire health consequences for affected communities.

“These rivers, once vital sources of sustenance for many frontline communities, have now become toxic streams,” the statement noted, highlighting the severe impacts on agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The pollution has destroyed aquatic life, rendered soils infertile, and caused economic hardships for fish and crop farmers.

OWORAC further highlighted the link between galamsey and health issues, particularly in areas like the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai district, where heavy metals such as mercury and cyanide have been found in the placentas of pregnant women, leading to birth defects.

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has had to shut down water treatment plants in some areas due to contamination, which has been exacerbating water scarcity and increasing tariffs. The coalition warned that if the crisis persists, Ghana might be forced to import water by 2030.

OWORAC criticized the government’s repressive response to protests, noting that demonstrators have been arrested and denied access to legal representation. They urged the government to declare a state of emergency on mining activities near water bodies and address the political entanglement in galamsey operations, which has stymied efforts for reform.

“The greed of a few should not outweigh the well-being of many,” the statement read, calling for immediate and responsible action to protect public health and the environment.

The coalition demanded accountability for those responsible for the destruction and urged the Ghanaian government to prioritize the human rights of its citizens.