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Ghana risks a severe water crisis in the near future if urgent steps are not taken to protect groundwater resources from irresponsible mining and agricultural practices, Professor Anthony Ewusi, a hydrogeologist and Dean of International Programmes at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), has cautioned.
Delivering his inaugural lecture on the theme “Protecting the Invisible Hidden Treasure Beneath Our Feet” at UMaT in Tarkwa, Prof. Ewusi described groundwater as “the only reliable source of fresh water available to humanity,” stressing that it makes up just three per cent of the world’s water, with nearly 70 per cent of that locked in ice.
“Groundwater is the invisible treasure beneath our feet that sustains drinking water, agriculture, and ecosystems. Yet it is being destroyed by the very people who depend on it — through irresponsible mining and poor farming practices,” he warned.
Prof. Ewusi explained that while surface water pollution is visible, the contamination of groundwater often goes unnoticed until it is too late.
“Once the surface water is polluted, it gets close to the groundwater. You can drill a borehole and the water looks clean, but inside, there may be mercury or other chemicals which are invisible without laboratory testing,” he said.
He revealed that if current trends continue, as much as 70 per cent of Ghana’s groundwater could face contamination in the near future. The consequences, he cautioned, may not manifest immediately, but within 10 to 15 years, communities may start experiencing deadly health effects.
“Pollution of the earth is so serious that if we are not careful, there will come a time when we will not even get water to drink. In Ghana, we have so much groundwater. If we destroy it and cannot use it, then effectively, we don’t have it,” Prof. Ewusi noted.
He further criticised some mining companies for using liners in waste storage facilities instead of natural clay, warning that once the liners break, dangerous chemicals seep into aquifers. “But natural clay never breaks. It remains there forever. That is what we should be using,” he argued.
Calling for decisive policy action, Prof. Ewusi urged the government to develop and enforce strict frameworks to protect groundwater. He also advocated for the establishment of monitoring wells across the country to detect pollution early and guide remediation.
“The health of our people, our agriculture, and our very survival depend on protecting groundwater. Once we lose it, there is no replacement,” he said.
Prof. Ewusi, who has pioneered groundbreaking research in groundwater exploration and management both locally and internationally, stressed that Ghana must learn from countries such as the UK and Germany, where robust frameworks safeguard groundwater resources for future generations
