The Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, has sharply opposed the proposed 281 percent water tariff increment by Ghana Water Limited (GWL), insisting that the burden should fall squarely on the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and not ordinary Ghanaians.
GWL has applied for regulatory approval to raise tariffs from GHS 5.28 per cubic metre to GHS 20.09. The company justifies the move by pointing to ballooning debts, rising operational costs, and the high cost of treating water poisoned by illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
But Dr. Adomako Kissi argued that the increase is unjustified, stressing that GoldBod, which profits from gold purchases from both legal and illegal sources, should be held accountable for the crisis. He expressed frustration at the prospect of consumers being forced to shoulder the costs when the mining industry continues to reap the benefits.
“The Goldbod has made a huge amount of money, which they have flaunted – they have told everybody. Why must I pay for the water treatment as a Ghanaian? Why must I bear that burden?
“I really think that a portion of the revenue from Gold that has been flaunted everywhere should be used to work on all the water facilities in this country – the true beneficiary of the damages to all of our water bodies is the gold and mining industry”
Dr. Adomako Kissi, Former Anyaa Sowutuom MP
He maintained that it is wrong for GWL to shift the responsibility onto households already struggling with economic pressures.
“I think it is very wrongfully placed,” he said, insisting that the Ghana Water Company’s decision to increase tariffs should have nothing to do with innocent citizens so far as damage to the country’s water is concerned. “GoldBod should be made to pay for all the water damages in this country,” he stated.
GWL, however, has defended its request, arguing that the financial strain is not solely due to galamsey. According to the utility, foreign exchange losses, the rising cost of imported equipment and chemicals, and persistent debts have left it with little choice but to seek higher tariffs.
Shifting Strategy
Still, Dr. Adomako Kissi insisted that the true culprits remain unpunished while ordinary Ghanaians suffer. In his view, the galamsey menace is a direct assault on public health and demands urgent accountability from institutions profiting from the trade.
“Our rivers are poisoned by galamsey, yet citizens are asked to pay higher water tariffs. Is this fair?” he questioned, further arguing that the state must change its approach to fighting illegal mining.
“Declaring a state of emergency won’t end galamsey – going after the financiers will! Security agencies already know the key players, but political cover shields them,” he warned, adding that both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have failed to break the cycle.
In a striking observation, Dr. Adomako Kissi said the devastation caused by galamsey should be seen as more than an environmental disaster.
“Galamsey is a public health crisis – even bioterrorism,” he said and suggested that health institutions should consider legal action against the government over the dangers associated with polluted water and degraded lands.
The former lawmaker’s comments add to the growing pressure on state authorities to take stronger steps against illegal mining. With President John Dramani Mahama pledging to strengthen regional cooperation in tackling environmental destruction, the debate over who pays for the cost of cleaning poisoned rivers has resurfaced with greater intensity.
For Dr. Adomako Kissi, the answer is clear: GoldBod, as the primary beneficiary of both licensed and unlicensed mining activities, must bear the financial burden. Anything less, he cautions, would be a grave injustice to Ghanaians who play no part in polluting their own water sources.
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