Military action required to protect water bodies - GWCL MD

Accra, Ghana - Dr. Clifford Braimah, Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has sounded the alarm on the urgent need for security forces to protect water bodies from illegal mining activities.

He emphasized that safeguarding water resources is a national security issue, warranting military involvement if necessary.

The GWCL has expressed grave concerns over illegal mining in the Pra River, which is severely disrupting water supply operations in the Central Region. Residents in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding areas have been left without water for days due to the mining activities.

Dr. Braimah noted that the Water Resources Commission, although a civilian agency, operates under the Ministry of Defence, highlighting the critical importance of water security. He suggested that the nation should assess the military's capability to address this issue if it remains unresolved.

The GWCL warns that illegal mining is compromising its ability to provide clean and accessible water, threatening regional water security and necessitating immediate action to protect this vital resource.

Speaking to Joy News as part of the 'Poisoned Rivers' documentary, Dr Braimah said, “As of now, once in a while, we bring them in, but that is a flash, then it goes off. But if you make it their responsibility and they cannot solve our water bodies being polluted, how can they guarantee that, when there is an invasion of foreign forces, they would be able to stop them?”

According to Dr. Braimah, a 100-day solution to the problem is possible if water body protection is treated as a national security matter, with the Water Resources Commission operating under military supervision. He is confident that the military can achieve swift and effective results if entrusted with the task.

“So, I think we have reached a stage where we need to be blunt about it. We need to be truthful and confront it head-on. If we leave it in the hands of politicians, Mr A will say, ‘When I come, I will bring them back,’ while Mr B will say, ‘When I come, I will make sure they do not do it,’ and it becomes a game,'' he stated.

Source : Lead News Online