Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has stated its determination to continue shutting down plants in regions affected by illegal mining if the turbidity levels of raw water exceed a critical threshold.

Managing Director of the utility company, Clifford Braimah, highlighted the significant effects of illegal mining on their operations and called for collaborative efforts to address this problem.

In a Public Accounts Committee hearing, he defended the company’s proposed 334% tariff increase, explaining that it aims to motivate Ghanaians to assume responsibility by deterring illegal mining activities within their communities.

“If I had my way, Ghanaians will go and chase away all the galamsayers out of their areas because once the turbidity goes up, we shut the plant. And if you have no alternative access to water, you will take the situation seriously because we stay with the people who pollute the water. And if we [GWCL] shut down, you will not even know where to go to get the water.”

“If you pollute the water and the cost of treatment goes up, why don’t you pay for it because you are making money in one breath polluting the water?”