76% of Ghanaians at risk of drinking polluted water - UMaT Don

**Prof. Anthony Ewusi on Water Conservation**

Prof. Anthony Ewusi is a lecturer at UMaT. He is also the Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Studies. He stressed the need to conserve water bodies for sustainable management.

Despite efforts, millions in Ghana lack safe water. Many water bodies are polluted and unreliable. Prof. Ewusi noted that 76% of Ghanaians risk drinking contaminated water and fecal matter. This indicates poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water, causing 80% of diseases in the country.

He spoke at a Stakeholders Durbar for World Water Day. The event was organized by UMaT and the Water Resources Commission, with support from Gold Fields Ghana Foundation in Tarkwa, Western Region. The theme was “Glacier Preservation,” highlighting glaciers as vital freshwater sources.

UMaT has celebrated World Water Day for four years, focusing on conservation and management. Prof. Ewusi mentioned that the Bonsa River supplies Tarkwa Municipality's water but is unsustainable. People now rely on boreholes and hand-dug wells.

He expressed concern about diminishing underground water levels due to illegal mining activities affecting local areas like Atuabo and UMaT Basic School. A previous study showed that an abandoned mine by Gold Fields could supply Tarkwa’s water needs if treated properly.

He urged Gold Fields to treat this water for community use, emphasizing wise consumption practices.

**Community Involvement in Water Management**

Wisdom Adjei Mensah from Ghana Manganese Company discussed local communities' role in conserving water resources. He highlighted that population growth, industrial activities, deforestation, pollution, and climate change pressure these resources.

Communities should adopt effective methods like rainwater harvesting to reduce groundwater dependency during dry seasons. He also called for restoring the Ankobra River for Western Region residents.

Abdel Razak Yakubu from Gold Fields Ghana Foundation praised UMaT's contributions to solving water issues in Ghana. He questioned why large mining companies can treat river water within their concessions but not outside them.

Gold Fields operates under EPA regulations to ensure sustainable practices are followed. The foundation has dug 117 boreholes and established over 48 Small Town Water Supply Systems in local communities.

Yakubu noted that teams have successfully dug additional boreholes at New Atuabo to serve schools and communities free of charge.

This year, the foundation will launch seven new water projects at Damang, providing over 100,000 liters of piped water to households.

“We must protect our existing water resources,” he concluded, emphasizing that “water is life.”