It is emerging that the devastating effects of illegal mining, widely known as galamsey if not drastically checked is likely to cause the collapse of the businesses of over 70% of sachet and packaged water producers nationwide.
This means thousands of sachet and packaged water producers’ investments will go down the drain while thousands more will lose their jobs and their source of livelihood.
This was revealed by the National President of the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers, Magnus Nunoo in an exclusive interview with The High Street Journal.
Magnus Nunoo explains that their data shows that over 70% of their members depend on Ghana Water Company’s supply for processing and packaging while the others depend on boreholes.
With the heightened activities of illegal miners contaminating the river sources which threatens the existence of the Ghana Water Company, a large portion of the sachet and packaged water producers also risk collapse.
The Ghana Water Company on several occasions had to shut down some treatment plants due to high levels of turbidity and contamination of source rivers as a result of illegal mining making the water untreatable. The situation has led to water scarcity in some parts of the country leading to rationing.
The recent escalation of the illegal mining, Magnus Nunoo says will mean the collapse of the businesses of many of the association members should Ghana Water Company shut down.
“Against all the hullabaloo, experts are saying that by 2030, if we are not careful Ghana might import water. It is a reality. It is quite endemic. We also depend on Ghana Water so the warning is that let’s stop galamsey. Now we have sachet water because Ghana Water is available for us to use but assuming Ghana Water shuts down just now, I can bet you about 70% of our members who depend on Ghana Water will not have water to produce for you. It’s as bad,” the National President explained.
He therefore appealed to the general public to join the fight against the menace to among other things, save the businesses of its members who depend on the Ghana Water Company for production.
The National President added that “70% of our members depend on Ghana Water. They take and then remove the heavy metal in addition to whatever is done before you are able to buy. We need to get a regular supply from Ghana Water so we can meet the market demand. We are not out of the woods yet so this is a caution to the public. We must all join the call for this galamsey menace to be completely nipped in the bud.”
Reverse osmosis technology is the standard for treating water by all members of the association. Heavy and poisonous metals found in the water are easily removed with this method. Magnus Nunoo reveals that this method has led to an increase in public confidence in the water produced by the association.
Should Ghana Water Company collapse due to illegal mining, not only will owners and employers of sachet and packaged water producers lose their livelihoods, but safe drinking water will also become very scarce.
