The West Africa Cooperatives Networks (WACoN) has commended the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for its GH¢8.4 million partnership with Ghana Water Limited (GWL) to rehabilitate the Bonsa, Daboase and Sekyere Heman Water Supply Systems in the Western and Central Regions.
According to WACoN, the intervention demonstrates GoldBod’s commitment to responsible mining, environmental sustainability and improving the livelihoods of communities affected by mining activities, particularly those facing pressure on water resources.
In a statement, WACoN said the rehabilitation project would provide significant benefits to households, businesses and communities that rely on the affected water systems.
The network noted that the restoration of ageing infrastructure, including critical treatment and pumping equipment, is expected to improve water production, reduce service disruptions, enhance operational efficiency and ensure a more reliable supply of potable water to thousands of residents.
WACoN added that the project would also help reduce operational and maintenance costs through the replacement of obsolete equipment with modern and efficient systems. This, it said, would strengthen the capacity of Ghana Water Limited and support the long-term sustainability of public water service delivery.
The organisation further called for similar investments to be extended to other mining-affected areas where water infrastructure has suffered damage or deterioration.
According to WACoN, expanding such initiatives would improve access to safe drinking water, promote public health and contribute to Ghana’s broader development goals.
The network stressed that the rehabilitation project should not be treated as a one-time intervention but rather as the foundation for a wider national programme aimed at modernising Ghana’s water infrastructure through sustainable financing.
While praising the investment, WACoN urged authorities to give equal attention to protecting Ghana’s water bodies through stronger enforcement against illegal mining and the restoration of river buffer zones.
It cautioned that without effective measures to protect raw water sources, increasing turbidity levels could continue to raise water treatment costs, increase chemical use and place additional pressure on rehabilitated facilities, potentially undermining the long-term gains of the project.
WACoN therefore applauded GoldBod, its Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., for what it described as visionary leadership in investing in critical public infrastructure.
The organisation said the initiative provides an example of how institutions within the extractive sector can contribute to environmental protection, water security and the overall well-being of Ghanaians.
SIGNED
Agyarko M. Ebenezer
Principal Mining Consultant and Head of Technical Communications, West Africa Cooperatives Networks