Stakeholders have emphasized the need for stronger partnerships to protect water bodies and improve access to safe drinking water during the World Water Day conference held at Cofkans Hotel in Obuasi. The event was organized by AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine in collaboration with the Obuasi West Municipal Assembly, Obuasi East Municipal Assembly, and GrowthAid Ghana under the theme, “Collective Action for Sustainable Community Water Access: Strengthening Partnership for Impact.”
George Owusu-Ansah, Director of Environment at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, highlighted the importance of safe water for community development. He noted that unsafe drinking water exposes residents to diseases, disrupts education, and diminishes quality of life.
“When water is safe, communities flourish. Lack of good drinking water exposes communities to diseases and affects education and overall quality of life,” he stated.
He further warned that illegal mining continues to threaten water bodies, emphasizing that their protection is a shared responsibility.
Owusu-Ansah explained that AngloGold Ashanti treats water before discharge and carefully manages water usage to conserve resources. However, he revealed that the Oda River is no longer suitable for treatment for drinking, forcing the Ghana Water Company Limited to relocate its treatment equipment. Similarly, the Jimi River, which the mine treats for consumption, has also been polluted due to illegal mining activities.
To address these challenges, AngloGold Ashanti is constructing water systems to provide safe drinking water to communities such as Sanso, Diewuoso, Ntonsua, and Sampsonkrom, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting communities within its catchment areas. Communities benefiting from these systems were presented with maintenance tools and equipment to help them manage and repair the facilities, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Representing the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, Municipal Information Officer Ernest Kofi Offen affirmed the assembly’s dedication to protecting water bodies and supporting initiatives that improve access to safe water.
Dr. Joe Lambongang, CEO of GrowthAid Ghana, highlighted sustainability challenges in rural water projects, noting that three out of every ten boreholes stop functioning within a year. He stressed that water projects must be designed with proper planning and data to ensure communities receive systems they can maintain effectively. Dr. Lambongang also cautioned against politicizing the provision of water systems, emphasizing that scientific planning and evidence-based decisions are essential for long-term functionality.
Founded in 2002, GrowthAid Ghana works to improve health and living conditions in underserved communities. In 2016, the organization refocused on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services and the prevention and management of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
The conference also raised concerns over the environmental impact of illegal mining, noting that about 100,000 acres of cocoa farmland had been destroyed as of 2024, while 60 percent of Ghana’s freshwater resources have been polluted. According to USAID, major rivers—including Pra, Birim, Ankobra, and Offin—have been rendered unsafe even for fishing.
Participants stressed that protecting water bodies requires collaboration among government, mining companies, civil society, and local communities. They noted that improved access to safe water not only promotes health but also drives education and economic development.
“Where water flows, equality will grow,” speakers emphasized, calling for collective action to ensure sustainable community water access.
As part of promoting responsible water use among young people, three students from Apitikooko Junior High School who emerged winners in an essay competition on water management and conservation were rewarded during the event.
