The Coordinator for Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has called for Ghana to declare a state of emergency due to severe water pollution.
According to her, Ghanaians are not taking enough action, despite the widespread contamination of water bodies by illegal mining activities.
Mrs Serwah also pointed out that even if the water looks clear, toxic chemicals may still be present.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Central Region has reported serious water supply problems in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding areas.
The issue stem primarily from insufficient raw water at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant, which has been worsened by pollution from illegal mining leading to a significant reduction in the amount of water available from the Pra River for treatment.
Speaking on JoyNews AM show, Mrs Serwah said, “You still have the mercury and cyanide. They are colourless, so you are sort of deceived when you see clear water. At least when it’s brown, you can notice, but when it is clear, you are deceived into thinking that it is safe, when it might not be; it might be quite dangerous.
“So, I think the time has come for Ghanaians to march to the Flagstaff House and say we need to declare a state of emergency or call a general strike. Until a state of emergency is declared, the army should go and police these areas, make arrests, and prosecute offenders. Until we begin to take the matter seriously, nothing should proceed.”
Mrs Serwah asserted that citizens are being poisoned to death, with those in power failing to take adequate action.
She also pointed out that journalists have put their lives at risk to report these issues and stressed the need for a urgent intervention.
“We need to all march to Flagstaff House and say we are not going to sit or stand idle while we are being poisoned.”