US-based Licensed Professional Engineer, Dr. Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah, bemoaned the far-reaching effects of illegal mining, known as galamsey, on Ghana’s water systems and food exports.
In her talk, she offered an in-depth perspective on how galamsey is not only affecting those living in Ghana but also Ghanaians in the diaspora, particularly those who still rely on local Ghanaian food products.
She also provided a technical breakdown of the limitations of current water treatment processes in addressing the contamination caused by heavy metals, highlighting the long-term implications for both water usage and economic costs.
A crucial point raised by Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah is that the adverse effects of galamsey are not confined to Ghana’s borders. Ghanaians in the diaspora, especially those who consume locally produced food items exported from Ghana, are also vulnerable.
Drawing from personal experience, Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah noted that, despite living in the United States for over a decade, she continues to rely on Ghanaian food, particularly yams and groceries sourced from African markets.
“I was talking to a friend who works at Ghana Standards Authority recently, and she told me that they tested yams being exported, and it had high levels of heavy metals.”
Dr. Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah US-based Licensed Professional Engineer
She emphasized the need for Ghanaians abroad to recognize that the galamsey crisis in Ghana is not just a local problem but has global ramifications. She emphasized; “The effects of galamsey are coming to our doorstep even in the US.”
Technical Breakdown: Water Treatment Limitations
As an environmental engineer, Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah took the opportunity to explain the limitations of standard water treatment processes in dealing with heavy metal contamination. She noted; “All these processes that I described right now—none of them removes heavy metals.”
She then detailed the five main stages of water treatment: coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, disinfection, and filtration. These processes can address issues like turbidity.
“The typical water treatment process does not include removal of heavy metals. In actual sense, any water source that is polluted with heavy metals is typically not supposed to be used as a drinking water source.”
Dr. Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah US-based Licensed Professional Engineer
Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah referenced the infamous Flint, Michigan water crisis in the United States as a cautionary example, where lead contamination in the drinking water led to severe health consequences and legal repercussions.
Rising Costs of Clean Water
One of the most alarming points Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah raised is the potential financial impact of heavy metal contamination on Ghana’s water treatment systems.
“To be able to remove that, we would need to add an additional process unit to remove heavy metals. Now, that almost will be times five the cost of water that people are having.”
Dr. Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah US-based Licensed Professional Engineer
The added cost of water treatment, she explained, could result in Ghanaians either paying five to ten times more for clean water or resorting to importing water.
Misconceptions About Boreholes
Another common misconception Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah addressed is the belief that installing a borehole in one’s home can protect against water contamination.
“Borehole connects to surface water. You know, there is what we call water cycle. So having a borehole in your house does not make you immune to the effects of the heavy metals that will percolate or move through the soil to contaminate your water.”
Dr. Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah US-based Licensed Professional Engineer
The Need for Education and Awareness
Throughout her talk, Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah stressed the importance of educating the public about the realities of water contamination and the broader effects of galamsey.
Illegal mining activities are affecting not only water quality but also food exports, and by extension, the health of Ghanaians both at home and abroad. She asserted; “Not many people will talk about this aspect of the issue, and so I find it’s important to add that voice to it.”
She also touched on the need for increased preparedness to deal with floods and other environmental disasters, a topic she felt should be integrated into public discourse more frequently.
Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah’s higlights served as a stark reminder that the galamsey crisis in Ghana has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the country’s borders.
The heavy metal contamination of both water and food supplies poses serious health risks to Ghanaians everywhere, including those in the diaspora. Moreover, the current water treatment infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle the level of contamination caused by galamsey, which could lead to skyrocketing costs for clean water or the need to import it altogether.
Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah’s call for education and public awareness is timely and essential as the country grapples with the growing environmental and economic challenges posed by illegal mining.
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