“65% of Ghana’s Water Bodies Destroyed — Declare State of Emergency Now” – Erastus Asare Donkor Warns
Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has sounded a grave warning that Ghana is heading toward a full ecological collapse if the government does not immediately declare a State of Environmental Emergency to address the destruction of the country’s water bodies.
Speaking in a recent discussion on Ghana’s worsening environmental crisis, the Joy News journalist revealed that more than 65% of Ghana’s river systems are now polluted, heavily contaminated or completely destroyed, largely due to illegal mining (galamsey) and uncontrolled industrial waste.
“If we don’t act, we will all die — the signs are clear”
Erastus did not mince words as he painted a bleak picture of Ghana’s future if urgent action is not taken.
“Sixty-five percent of our water bodies are gone. We are reaching a point where the country will not be able to produce clean drinking water. If government does not declare a state of emergency, we will all perish.”
He warned that the Pra, Offin, Birim, Ankobra, Densu, and even parts of the Volta basin are undergoing irreversible damage, with turbidity and chemical levels rising far beyond safe limits.
🏞️ A Nation on the Brink of Water Scarcity
Environmental scientists have repeatedly warned that Ghana could face a massive national water shortage within the next decade:
- Rural communities are already depending on sachet water as their only clean water source.
- Treatment plants along the Pra and Oti rivers have been forced to shut down multiple times due to toxic levels of silt and mercury.
- Some river systems are now “biologically dead,” meaning aquatic life cannot survive in them.
Erastus described the situation as “a slow-moving national disaster that is no longer a rural problem, but a national survival issue.”
🇬🇭 Where Is the Leadership?
According to him, the rate of destruction is far beyond what law enforcement can manage, and only a full national emergency response can save the remaining water bodies.
He called for:
- Deployment of the military under a special environmental command
- Immediate shutdown of all illegal mining sites
- Arrest and prosecution of financiers of galamsey
- A nationwide taskforce with powers to demolish illegal mining infrastructure
- Emergency restoration and reforestation of destroyed lands
Erastus argued that political will is the missing ingredient, not capacity.
🚨 Public Reaction: Fear, Anger and Urgent Demands
Ghanaians across social media expressed shock at the figure and echoed the call for a national emergency.
Many citizens say:
- The threat is bigger than politics
- Water pollution will soon affect cities including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Cape Coast
- The collapse of water bodies will also cripple agriculture and food security
Environmental groups, including A Rocha Ghana and WACCE, have called for immediate government action, warning that Ghana is running out of time.
🧭 What Happens If Ghana Does Nothing?
Experts warn of:
- Uncontrollable water shortages
- Massive rise in the cost of treated water
- Spread of waterborne diseases
- Collapse of fishery livelihoods
- A national food security crisis
- Import dependence for fresh water in the future
“One day,” Erastus warned, “we will wake up and have no safe water left.”
The Big Question
Will the government listen — or will Ghana wait until the last drop?