A Non-Governmental Organisation, Eco-Conscious Citizens, is warning of the impending danger that illegal mining, known as galamsey poses to Ghanaians if the menace is not brought to a halt.

According to the Coordinator of the group, Awula Serwah, due to the contamination caused by the operations of illegal mining, Ghana might have to import drinking water. 

Speaking to JoyNews, she said “It is dire. I won’t even say we are not expecting, we can’t be bothered. I mean, the water company has warned us over and over again. We have been told that we face a clear and present danger. We face an existential threat, we know that as a consequence of illegal mining.

"The water has become so polluted that the water company is spending more and more money to treat the water and the reason why they had to stop the water supply to this part of the Ashanti Region. Even their machines are beginning to get damaged. The writing has been on the wall, we know it but we don’t seem to care very much.”

She stressed that the phenomenon was predominant because Ghanaians were not angry enough about the illegal mining issue, stressing that until that changes, things will not improve.

Communication Director of Food Sovereignty Ghana, Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffour said President Akufo-Addo has failed in his fight against illegal mining, especially after putting his presidency on the line to fight the canker.

“It was very honourable for the President to realise how important the issue was to Ghanaians for him to tell us something like, he is putting his career on the line.

“This is a warning to anyone who is coming to lead Ghana, whether it be Mahama, Alan Cash or Nana Bediako who has just outdoored his positioning - it's for you to bring responsibility to the leadership of Ghana. We expect examples,” he said.