Ghana News
Ghana Gold Board Injects GH¢8.4 Million to Rescue Water Plants Crippled by Illegal Mining
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.
President John Dramani Mahama has challenged thousands of church delegates gathered in Ghana’s capital to measure the success of their global congress not by the eloquence of its sermons, but by the lives they transform after the final prayer is said.
“The lasting story of this conference, this congress, will be written in the lives that we touch after the closing prayer,” Mahama told more than 10,000 participants at the opening ceremony of the 10th Triennial Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The president urged delegates to return to their home countries with concrete plans to serve their communities — mentoring young people, supporting schools, strengthening health ministries and standing beside congregations serving under difficult conditions.
Faith Must Be Tangible
Mahama argued that faith becomes real only when it meets human need. He offered a vivid portrait of what practical Christianity looks like: a hungry child receiving a meal, a patient treated with compassion, a young person acquiring a skill, a widow finding companionship, and a struggling family receiving support from its community.
He called on the church to give greater attention to the relationship between preaching the gospel and serving people in practical ways, saying the two must not be separated.
“Spiritual authority entails a duty of care,” the president said, stressing that churches must provide safe environments for children and vulnerable people. He warned that spiritual leadership carries a responsibility to protect the trust placed in it through responsible conduct.
A Warning on Youth and Technology
Turning to youth development, Mahama acknowledged that young people today are growing up in a world of extraordinary opportunity, but also considerable pressure. Technology, he said, connects young people across continents while simultaneously exposing them to constant comparisons, misinformation and competing expectations about who they should become.
He urged churches and families to create environments where young people can ask questions freely, receive guidance, develop their abilities and take on meaningful responsibilities. Delegates, he said, should mentor young people by listening to them, offering opportunities for service and modelling integrity.
The president also called on the church to recognise the contributions of women of faith, saying their wisdom, talents and leadership deserve full recognition.
A Call for Global Solidarity
Addressing the global nature of the fellowship, Mahama expressed hope that members with greater resources would find ways to support those with fewer. The fellowship, he said, would grow stronger when its members shared their gifts and stood with one another through difficult times.
He also spoke directly to the responsibility of public office, saying those entrusted with power had a particular duty to serve with humility, honesty and integrity. Faith, he added, should deepen respect for citizens and concern for those whose voices are least likely to reach the centres of power.
Historic Honour for a Pentecostal President
At the ceremony, the World Assemblies of God Fellowship presented Mahama with its maiden Global Leadership Excellence and Trailblazer Award. The citation described him as the first member of the Assemblies of God worldwide to become president of a country — a milestone for the denomination.
Organisers also presented him with a Bible and urged him to allow the Word of God to guide his leadership.
The fellowship honoured First Lady Mrs. Lordina Mahama for her work supporting vulnerable people through her compassion ministry.
Former Malawian President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera also received the Global Leadership Excellence Award. His citation described him as the second member of the denomination — and the first minister of the gospel within the fellowship — to become president of a country.
Prayers for Wisdom and Redistribution
Following the awards, general superintendents and Ghanaian church leaders gathered around Mahama to pray for him. The prayer leader, Reverend Dominic Yeo, the fellowship’s Global Chairman, asked God to grant the president “divine wisdom” and prayed for the continuation of what he described as a reformation agenda.
He also prayed for “a redistribution of wealth throughout this nation so that all Ghanaians will be blessed,” a prayer that resonated beyond the sanctuary walls in a country where economic inequality remains a pressing concern.
A Global Gathering in Accra
The 10th Triennial Congress has drawn more than 10,000 participants to Accra, making it one of the largest Pentecostal gatherings on the continent this year. The event brings together delegates from across the global fellowship, reflecting the denomination’s growing presence in Africa and beyond.
For Mahama, however, the congress’s true significance will not be found in its attendance figures or its ceremonies — but in what delegates do once they return home.
“Faith becomes tangible,” he said, “when a hungry child receives a meal, a patient is treated with compassion, a young person acquires a skill, a widow finds companionship and a struggling family receives support from its community.”
The closing prayer, it seems, is only the beginning.
Gamal Gorkeh Nkrumah, the journalist, writer, and intellectual son of Ghana’s founding president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has died in Cairo, Egypt, following a prolonged illness. He was 67.
The Nkrumah family announced his passing in a statement released Tuesday, describing it as “a profound loss not only to our family and loved ones, but also to the wider community of friends, colleagues and readers who valued his insight, humanity and unwavering engagement with the great questions of our time.”
According to the family, Gamal Nkrumah passed away peacefully after receiving care at a rehabilitation centre, where he had been recovering from a stroke.
A Life of Intellectual Engagement
Born in 1958, Gamal Nkrumah carved out a distinct identity as a newspaper journalist and commentator, dedicating his voice and intellect to examining the political, social, and cultural forces shaping Africa and the wider world.
Throughout his life, the family said, he remained “deeply committed to the ideals of justice, human dignity, African unity and international solidarity.”
Described as a man of “profound intellectual curiosity, independence of thought and quiet conviction,” Gamal carried forward the legacy of his father in his own distinctive way, while building a reputation firmly grounded in his own principles and achievements.
His passing marks the loss of a respected voice in African journalism and intellectual life, one whose work spanned continents and engaged deeply with the pressing issues of his time.
A Family in Mourning
Gamal was one of the acknowledged children of Kwame Nkrumah and Fathia Nkrumah. He is survived by his siblings: Samia Nkrumah (born 1960), a politician and former leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP); Dr. Francis Nkrumah (born 1962), a paediatrician; and Sekou Nkrumah (born 1964), a politician and photographer.
The Nkrumah family remembered Gamal “with immense love, gratitude and pride,” stating that “his wisdom, kindness and devotion to the values he held dear will remain an enduring source of inspiration.”
Gratitude and Requests for Privacy
In their statement, the family expressed heartfelt appreciation to all those who stood with Gamal throughout his illness, particularly the medical professionals and caregivers in Cairo who provided him with care and dignity.
They also extended “deepest thanks” to the governments and people of his two countries, Egypt and Ghana, for their generous support.
The family has kindly requested privacy as it mourns this deeply personal loss. Details concerning memorial arrangements and opportunities to pay tribute to his life and legacy will be communicated in due course.
“May he rest in eternal peace,” the statement concluded.
Ghana News
Ohio Court Orders Ghanaian Care Worker to Repay $53,278 After Workers’ Compensation Fraud Conviction
Betty Boateng, 50, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree felony after investigators found she collected disability benefits while working for two in-home care employers
A US-based Ghanaian woman has been ordered to repay more than $53,000 to the state of Ohio after admitting she collected workers’ compensation disability benefits while simultaneously holding paid jobs, authorities announced.
Betty Boateng, 50, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of Workers’ Compensation Fraud, a fifth-degree felony, following an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Special Investigations Department, the agency said in a news release dated October 9, 2026.
Investigators found that Boateng “knowingly and with fraudulent intent returned to work for two different employers during periods when she was receiving BWC disability benefits to which she was not entitled.”
Evidence gathered during the probe showed she earned wages while continuing to accept disability checks, resulting in improper payments totaling $53,278.40.
Sentencing in Franklin County
On September 23, 2026, a judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas accepted Boateng’s guilty plea and proceeded directly to sentencing, ordering:
- A 12-month suspended sentence
- 60 months of community control
- Mandatory reporting requirements
- Restitution of $53,278.40 to the Ohio BWC
- Waiver of fines, with court costs imposed
The case centered on Boateng’s work providing non-medical in-home care services for multiple employers, work she performed while receiving disability benefits she was not entitled to.
“Fraud Hurts Honest Workers”
BWC Administrator Stephanie McCloud said the agency remains committed to protecting the state’s workers’ compensation fund.
“Fraud against the workers’ compensation system hurts honest Ohio workers and employers,” McCloud said. “We are committed to holding accountable those who abuse the system and ensuring that funds remain available for individuals truly in need.”
The BWC urged anyone who knows of or suspects workers’ compensation fraud to contact its Special Investigations Department at 1-800-OHIO-BWC.
A Cautionary Tale for the Diaspora
The conviction adds to a growing list of cases involving Ghanaian nationals abroad facing fraud-related charges in the United States. Ghanaian communities in the US — particularly in cities such as Columbus, which has a sizable Ghanaian population — have increasingly been urged to understand the strict compliance rules attached to public benefit programs.
Workers’ compensation fraud in Ohio can be prosecuted as a felony depending on the amount involved, and convictions typically require full restitution in addition to any criminal penalties.
