Folks, yesterday on the Joy FM Super Morning Show, I had the opportunity to set the record straight about certain claims relating to the turbidity of water bodies in Ghana.
While I conceded on the show, and still concede, that the turbidity levels of several water bodies in the country have worsened this year, I argued that a holistic assessment shows significant improvement in several others — and that this fact ought to be acknowledged.
To buttress my point, I presented official comparative data from the Water Resources Commission, which showed that turbidity levels have improved in several water bodies from September 2024 to September 2025. These improvements reflect the positive strides being made in the fight against illegal mining under the eight-month-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 data with that of September 2025.
In light of this legitimate call, I hereby share below official data from the Water Resources Commission on turbidity levels of five key water bodies for February 2025 and July 2025, for your own judgement:
- Dadieso – River Bia
- February 2025: 5,450 NTU
- July 2025: 372 NTU
- Adiembra – River Offin
- February 2025: 5,740 NTU
- July 2025: 2,205 NTU
- Daboase – River Pra
- February 2025: 4,800 NTU
- July 2025: 2,820 NTU
- Akim Oda – River Birem
- February 2025: 3,824 NTU
- July 2025: 1,710 NTU
- 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 the government has to do more in the galamsey fight to significantly improve turbidity levels in 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 the government’s genuine fight against the illegal mining menace.
In 2024, there was no real fight against illegal mining in our beloved country. Rather, what we witnessed was a fight against galamsey fighters by the government of the day — and this was one of the reasons 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 eight-month-old NDC/Mahama government. This 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 Mahama is worthy of our support.
SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.