Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah of the Department of Geography and Resource Development at the University of Ghana has stated that the country cannot meet the requirements for equitable and universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all (Sustainable development goals-SDG). This is part of the UN 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, a global plan to promote sustainable peace and prosperity and protect our planet.

In Ghana, only between 26 and 50% of the population have a safe drinking water supply, a poor result. Algeria leads the way in Africa with 51-70%, while the UK is at 70-99%. Prof Agyei-Mensah holds the activities of illegal mining (galamsey) primarily responsible for the massive pollution of the country's waters and calls for drastic measures to curb galamsey.

Although drinking water is now offered in packaged form in many places, water supply remains problematic. In 2010, for example, tap water was still the main form of supply in Cape Coast, now it is containers. In the Western Region, rivers can no longer be used to supply water, as the pollution caused by galamsey makes this impossible. In addition, the outdated pipeline system built in colonial times is corroded and unable to cope with the increased population.

Above all, however, illegal mining is a major threat to the country's drinking water supply and Prof Agyei-Mensah called for the strict enforcement of laws against illegal mining. Access to the country's protected forest areas must also be prohibited.

He also called for a national summit to draw up a medium to long-term plan for access to drinking water in the country, as there are a number of problems in the water sector.

The aim must be to supply every area of the country with affordable and safe drinking water.