The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has signed a GH¢8.4 million agreement with Ghana Water Limited to rehabilitate three major water treatment plants in the Western and Central Regions, whose operations have been decimated by years of illegal mining pollution. The intervention marks the first phase of a broader program to restore clean water access to communities devastated by galamsey.

For nearly a decade, residents of Tarkwa-Nsuaem in Ghana’s Western Region have watched their water supply dwindle as illegal mining operations along the Bonsa River turned their primary water source into a murky, silt-choked stream. The Bonsa Water Treatment Plant, which once supplied potable water to the entire municipality, was forced to shut down entirely in January 2025 after excessive sediment blocked its intake point.

That plant—along with the Daboase Water Treatment Plant serving parts of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the Sekyere Heman Water Supply System in the Central Region—is now at the center of a GH¢8.4 million rehabilitation agreement signed between the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL).

The agreement, which constitutes Phase One of a broader rehabilitation program, aims to restore treatment capacity, improve potable water delivery and strengthen environmental sustainability in communities ravaged by the effects of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Nine years of devastation

Speaking at the signing ceremony, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., disclosed that the Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited first approached the Board in October 2025 to seek support for the rehabilitation of six water treatment plants that had deteriorated after years of exposure to environmental degradation.

Rather than immediately committing funds, GoldBod constituted a technical assessment team from its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Unit under the Responsible Mining and Sustainability Directorate to independently verify the condition of the affected facilities.

“The team’s findings confirmed the urgent need for intervention,” Gyamfi said, leading GoldBod to approve funding for three of the six treatment plants as the first phase of the project.

Ghana Water Limited Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu revealed that the affected treatment plants have battled high turbidity levels for the past nine years, severely affecting water production and service delivery in beneficiary communities.

“These facilities have struggled for years with high turbidity, siltation and equipment damage caused by pollution of their raw water sources,” Mutawakilu said. “In some cases, operations have been forced to shut down entirely”.

The true cost of galamsey

The damage to Ghana’s water infrastructure from illegal mining has reached crisis proportions. At the Bonsa Water Treatment Plant, illegal mining along the Bonsa River has caused severe contamination, with excessive silt completely blocking the facility’s intake point. The plant, which supplies the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, was previously shut down entirely after the siltation became unmanageable.

The Daboase Water Treatment Plant, which serves parts of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and surrounding areas, has recorded rising sediment levels that have increased chemical usage, strained equipment and pushed up operational costs. Officials report that the plant has had to contend with significantly higher sediment loads, resulting in frequent equipment strain and higher operational costs.

The Sekyere Heman Water Supply System has faced similar problems, with heavy sludge and silt deposits triggering frequent breakdowns of treatment infrastructure.

The financial demands of the rehabilitation project far exceeded Ghana Water Limited’s internally generated funds, making external support indispensable.

A comprehensive approach to restoration

Under the arrangement, Ghana Water Limited will execute the rehabilitation works while GoldBod’s technical team will undertake continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the project is implemented in accordance with agreed standards and timelines.

Gyamfi explained that given the significant financial commitment involved, the Board did not simply transfer funds to Ghana Water Limited. Instead, both institutions entered into a detailed implementation agreement outlining how the funds would be utilised and the responsibilities of each party.

“This intervention demonstrates our commitment to responsible mining, environmental sustainability and improving the lives of Ghanaians,” Gyamfi said.

Gyamfi expressed optimism that successful implementation of the first phase would pave the way for GoldBod to support the rehabilitation of the remaining three facilities at Baifikrom, Kwanyako and Essagyir under a second phase.

“Coupled with our corporate social responsibility policy, the GoldBod has taken interest in projects that are aimed at restoring our environment and protecting the ecological integrity of our society,” he reiterated.

A broader crisis

The rehabilitation comes as Ghana’s water sector continues to battle the devastating impact of illegal mining. Pollution of rivers has forced utilities to spend significantly more on treating contaminated raw water, and experts warn that conventional treatment plants were not designed to handle the extreme levels of sediment and chemicals now entering water sources.

In May 2026, residents of Tanoso in the Tano North Municipality reported that pollution of the Tano River by illegal mining had forced them to depend entirely on sachet water for drinking and household chores. In July 2026, a nephrologist at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital warned that toxic heavy metals from galamsey were seeping into Ghana’s treated water supply and driving a surge in kidney disease.

The Ghana Water Limited has previously stated that it requires about GH¢300 million to undertake a major dredging and desilting exercise around key water sources that supply its treatment plants nationwide. The company has also proposed a 24-month catchment recovery plan to combat the impact of galamsey on water bodies.

A model for public-private partnership

Mutawakilu commended GoldBod for adopting a thorough and professional approach by first conducting an independent technical assessment before approving the funding.

“We want to assure you that everything you are giving us, there will be accountability,” Mutawakilu said at the signing ceremony. “This collaboration shows the importance of protecting critical national infrastructure while addressing the growing demand for reliable potable water”.

The GoldBod-GWL partnership is expected not only to rehabilitate damaged facilities but also to serve as part of broader efforts to repair the environmental damage caused by irresponsible mining practices.

Gyamfi described the partnership as a demonstration of GoldBod’s broader national development agenda and called on other public and private institutions to support similar interventions that safeguard critical public infrastructure.

“We are signing this agreement because we don’t want to just use money, we want to be interested in how the funds are applied,” Gyamfi said.

Looking ahead

The rehabilitation project comes at a critical juncture for Ghana’s water sector. Beyond the financial cost of restoring damaged infrastructure, the pollution of rivers has created wider public health and environmental concerns, forcing water utilities to spend more resources treating increasingly contaminated raw water.

The two institutions said they remain committed to implementing sustainable solutions that protect water resources, strengthen public infrastructure and improve access to safe drinking water for communities in the Western and Central Regions.

For the communities that have endured years of unreliable water supply, the GH¢8.4 million intervention offers a glimmer of hope. The question now is whether the rehabilitation will be sustained, and whether Ghana can finally get to grips with the illegal mining that has poisoned its rivers and crippled its water infrastructure.

The Government of Ghana will begin the final phase of its voluntary repatriation exercise for approximately 900 Ghanaian nationals in South Africa from July 25, 2026, following months of xenophobic attacks and growing concerns over the safety and welfare of Ghanaians living in the country.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Benjamin Anani Quashie, has announced that the final phase of the government’s voluntary repatriation program will commence on July 25, 2026, bringing home about 900 Ghanaian nationals who have registered to return voluntarily.

The exercise follows months of escalating xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, which have left many Ghanaians fearing for their lives and seeking to return to their homeland.

Addressing the Ghanaian community in South Africa, High Commissioner Quashie confirmed that the government had approved additional support through the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the return of those who had registered for the voluntary repatriation program.

“The Ministry has provided, through the Office of the President, support for us to do another repatriation of close to 900 Ghanaians who voluntarily want to return home,” he said.

Three phases already completed

The upcoming operation represents the fourth and final phase of Ghana’s mass repatriation programme. According to the High Commissioner, nearly 926 Ghanaians had already been evacuated under the previous three phases of the exercise.

“We have successfully brought home hundreds of our compatriots who were living in fear and uncertainty,” Quashie stated. “This final phase will complete the government’s planned repatriation program.”

The High Commissioner explained that the repatriation would follow the same procedures used during the previous phases. Officials from the High Commission would visit churches, hotels and other locations where registered Ghanaians are staying to coordinate the exercise.

The South African Department of Home Affairs and Border Management Authorities have approved July 25 as the start date for the operation.

“Flights will depart daily from July 25 until all registered returnees have been transported to Ghana,” Quashie confirmed. “The High Commission will also arrange transportation for those living in other provinces to join the flights.”

Strict procedures for registered beneficiaries

High Commissioner Quashie urged registered beneficiaries to wait for official notification before travelling to the High Commission in Pretoria. He cautioned against arriving without prior instructions, warning that accommodation would not be provided for those who report without being scheduled.

“We will notify each group before their departure. Please follow the procedures so that we can have a smooth repatriation exercise,” he said.

The High Commissioner also clarified that no new registrations would be accepted for the final exercise. Only Ghanaians who had already completed the registration and screening process would be included.

He appealed to those who had not registered to cooperate with the authorities and avoid attempting to join the exercise without approval, noting that the High Commission had worked closely with South African immigration authorities throughout the process.

End of mass repatriation program

Quashie confirmed that once the final group of about 900 people returns to Ghana, the mass repatriation program will end. Future requests for assistance to return home will be handled individually through the High Commission’s consular services.

“This marks the conclusion of our mass evacuation efforts,” he said. “Going forward, we will handle repatriation requests on a case-by-case basis through our normal consular channels.”

Government commitment to citizens’ safety

The High Commissioner expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for supporting the evacuation exercise and responding to the needs of Ghanaians affected by the attacks.

“The President and the Foreign Minister have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians abroad,” Quashie said. “This repatriation exercise reflects the government’s dedication to protecting its citizens wherever they may be.”

The repatriation comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Ghana and South Africa over the treatment of foreign nationals. In June 2026, Ghana raised concerns over the safety of its nationals following reports that a Ghanaian had died during anti-immigrant demonstrations on June 30. South African authorities subsequently rejected those claims, stating that investigations found no evidence that any deaths occurred during the protests.

The diplomatic exchanges have underscored the sensitivity of migration issues within the region and the challenges facing African nations in protecting their citizens living abroad.

Xenophobic attacks intensify

The mass repatriation follows months of intensified xenophobic violence across South Africa. The March and March Movement, an anti-immigrant group, has spearheaded nationwide demonstrations calling for the removal of undocumented migrants. The movement has organized weekly protests, which have repeatedly escalated into violence.

At least two people were killed in Mossel Bay during anti-immigrant protests, while five people have died since protests began in April. Thousands of migrants, both documented and undocumented, have been driven from their homes, with businesses and property vandalized.

The Department of Home Affairs has intensified security raids, resulting in the arrest of thousands of undocumented migrants. More than 45,000 foreigners have reportedly left South Africa in recent months, returning to countries including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ghana and Nigeria.

The situation took a darker turn when a March and March Movement leader, Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, was shot dead outside his home in Ekurhuleni on July 4, 2026. The movement claims several of its regional leaders have received death threats, though these claims have not been independently verified.

A nation divided

The immigration debate has deeply divided South African society. While the March and March Movement claims to represent the concerns of ordinary South Africans about undocumented migration, crime and strained public services, critics have accused the movement of fueling xenophobia and vigilantism.

The South African government has maintained that immigration laws must be enforced within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law, while condemning attacks on foreign nationals.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, has stated that law enforcement actions should not translate into vigilantism or xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.

What happens next?

For the approximately 900 Ghanaians registered for the final repatriation, the coming weeks will be a period of transition. Many are leaving behind businesses, homes and communities they have built over years in South Africa. The High Commission has assured them of continued support throughout the process.

The Ghanaian government has not yet announced specific plans for the reintegration of returnees, but previous repatriation exercises have included support services to help returnees rebuild their lives in Ghana.

The High Commissioner assured the Ghanaian community that the High Commission would continue to provide updates to all registered beneficiaries until the exercise is completed.

“We remain committed to the safety and welfare of all Ghanaians in South Africa,” Quashie said. “This exercise is a testament to our government’s promise that no citizen will be left behind.”

Ghana’s six-year crude oil production collapse poses a direct and escalating threat to the nation’s electricity supply, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has warned.

The warning comes as IES data shows crude oil output has crashed from 71.44 million barrels in 2019 to 37.30 million barrels in 2025—a decline of almost 48 percent.

With production concentrated in just three offshore fields—Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa Gye Nyame—the associated gas that fuels a significant portion of Ghana’s thermal power generation is also dwindling.

IES warned that the sustained production decline has implications far beyond the upstream petroleum sector. Falling crude production threatens domestic gas supplies used for thermal power generation, increasing Ghana’s dependence on imported fuels and exposing the economy to exchange rate volatility and global energy price shocks.

The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) has separately cautioned that Ghana remains particularly exposed because of its heavy reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

“Energy security is about supply, affordability and resilience and right now, all three are under threat,” an ASEC statement warned.

Ghana already imports over 98 percent of its fuel due to non-functional domestic refineries, according to IES Executive Director Nana Amoasi VIII. The declining domestic gas supply will only deepen this import dependency, with profound consequences for the country’s balance of payments and the cedi’s exchange rate.

The energy security threat is compounded by financial distress across the state-owned energy sector. IES reported that revenues to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) declined by more than 61 percent, compounded by a policy decision that reduced GNPC’s share of petroleum revenues from 30 percent to 15 percent. Meanwhile, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has highlighted rising cash-call obligations on the TEN field.

PIAC’s 2025 Annual Report also revealed that the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (GNGLC) carries a debt burden exceeding US$620 million, with PIAC cautioning that the high debt exposure, coupled with persistent inefficiencies in pricing and revenue collection, poses a systemic risk to the entire energy value chain.

The implications for ordinary Ghanaians are severe. Reduced domestic gas supply means thermal power plants may increasingly rely on expensive crude oil and imported natural gas, driving up the cost of electricity generation. These costs are inevitably passed on to consumers through higher tariffs, while the risk of load-shedding—the dreaded “dumsor”—looms if fuel supplies become critically low.

IES previously warned that Ghana was on the brink of a power crisis, urging the government to take immediate action to secure fuel supplies and stabilize the power sector. The situation has not improved, with the prolonged oil production decline adding to existing pressures.

The Energy Minister has acknowledged the severity of the challenge, revealing in November 2025 that Ghana’s oil sector had witnessed a sharp decline. However, critics argue that the government’s response has been insufficient given the scale of the threat.

IES is now urging the government to accelerate implementation of the planned drilling programme and resume the negotiation and signing of new petroleum agreements through transparent and competitive licensing rounds.

Without these interventions, the energy security threat will only intensify, with potentially devastating consequences for Ghana’s industrial base and household welfare