Folks, yesterday on the Joy FM Super Morning Show, I had the opportunity to set the records straight about certain claims relative to the turbidity of water bodies in Ghana.
While I conceded on the show, and still concede, that turbidity levels of several water bodies in the country have worsened this year, I argued that a holistic assessment shows significant improvement in the turbidity levels of several other water bodies and that this fact, ought to be acknowledged.
To buttress my point, I presented official comparative data from the Water Resources Commission that showed that turbidity levels have improved in several water bodies from September 2024 to September 2025 and that, these improvements, reflect the positive strides being made in the fight against illegal mining under the 8-months old NDC/Mahama government.
Some have argued that in order to paint a fair picture of this government’s record, I should have compared February 2025 turbidity data with September 2025 data, instead of comparing September 2024 turbidity data with September 2025 data.
In the light of this legitimate call, I hereby share below, official data from the Water Resources Commission on turbidity levels of five (5) key water bodies for February 2025 and July 2025 for your own judgement.
1. Dadieso – River Bia
February 2025: 5,450 NTU
July 2025: 372 NTU
2. Adiembra – River Offin
February 2025: 5,740 NTU
July 2025: 2,205 NTU
3. Daboase – River Pra
February 2025: 4,800 NTU
July 2025: 2,820 NTU
4. Akim Oda- River Birem
February 2025: 3,824 NTU
July 2025: 1,710 NTU
5. Osino- River Birem
February 2025: 4,960 NTU
July 2025: 4,505 NTU
Source: Water Resources Commission
I share the view that these improvements are not enough and that government has to do more in the Galamsey fight to significantly improve turbidity levels of all water bodies in Ghana. Our collective survival as a people, depends on this.
However, it is important to acknowledge that positive strides are being made, even if modest at this stage, in government’s genuine fight against the illegal mining menace.
In the year 2024, there was no fight against illegal mining in our beloved country. Rather, what we witnessed, was a fight against Galamsey fighters by the government of the day, for which reason, many voted for change in the December 2024 polls.
Today, we can all attest to the fact that there is an ongoing fight against the illegal mining menace under the 8-months old NDC/Mahama government. This ongoing fight unlike the previous one, is clearly backed by genuine political will and commitment on the part of the President and his government.
Despite the teething challenges, I believe that the fight against illegal mining will be won under the able leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
The fight against illegal mining being waged by President Mahana, is worthy of our support.
SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.
