Let’s end the politicization of the galamsey fight – Nana Yaa Jantuah

The Presidential Staffer and Head of the Utility Review Hearing Committee made the appeal during the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) stakeholder engagement for the 2025–2030 major tariff review forum on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Speaking to journalists, Nana Yaa Jantuah said removing politics from the galamsey fight is essential to protecting Ghana’s water resources. “Illegal mining is destroying our rivers and streams, and if we allow politics to interfere, it will worsen the situation,” she warned. She added that the media has a responsibility to focus on solutions rather than party lines. “We need accurate reporting that educates the public on the dangers of galamsey, without turning it into a political debate,” Nana Yaa Jantuah emphasized.

She further cautioned that failing to remove politics from the galamsey fight could make Ghana water poor. “In no time, Ghana could be water poor, where water might have to be imported,” she said. “This would create vulnerability for the most vulnerable, because the poor cannot buy water from abroad.” Her remarks came as Ghana Water Limited (GWL) seeks regulatory approval for a 281 percent increase in tariffs to offset rising costs of treating water polluted by illegal mining.

GWL has proposed raising water tariffs from GH¢5.28 per cubic metre to GH¢20.09 per cubic metre. Nana Yaa Jantuah explained that the hike reflects both the operational costs of purifying polluted water and the utility’s debt overhang. “The financial burden on GWL is enormous, and the costs of treating water affected by galamsey cannot be ignored. We must all act responsibly,” she said.

The PURC forum provided a platform for regulators, utility managers, and stakeholders to discuss the proposed tariff adjustment and strategies to mitigate pollution. Nana Yaa Jantuah urged all parties to prioritize the fight against galamsey over political considerations. “This is not about politics; it is about the survival of our water systems and the well-being of every Ghanaian. We must work together,” she said.

She concluded by stressing collective responsibility, adding: “If we fail to remove politics from this fight, we risk water scarcity and long-term damage to our communities. The media, policymakers, and citizens all have a role to play in protecting Ghana’s water future.”