Unveiling Ghana's Water Crisis: Sources Of Pollution And Solutions

Water pollution is a major environmental challenge in Ghana. Water bodies are polluted and tap water is unsafe to drink. Water pollution causes significant damage due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. Water pollution is caused by the discharge of solid waste, industrial effluents, and toxic substances into water systems.

Industrial effluents

Water pollution is a major environmental challenge in Ghana. Water bodies are polluted and tap water is unsafe to drink. Water pollution causes significant damage due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. It also causes early deaths and harm to humans and ecosystems.

Solid waste

Water pollution in Ghana is a major environmental challenge that is harmful to humans and ecosystems. Water bodies are polluted, and tap water is unsafe to drink. Water pollution causes significant damage due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. According to the WHO, only 18% of Ghanaians have access to water that is safely managed.

E-waste and unregulated or illegal industry combined with improper solid waste management contributes greatly to the land pollution seen across Ghana. Over 3,000 metric tons of plastic waste is generated every day—equivalent to 1.1 million metric tons per year—and an estimated 86% is mismanaged. Smelting factories create runoff that negatively impacts soil health. More than half of the soil in Ghana contains over twice the amount of lead allowed by the EPA.

Air pollution is Ghana’s number one environmental risk to public health and the country’s sixth-ranked overall risk (out of 19) for death. 100% of Ghana’s population is exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines. This is primarily due to the impacts caused by household air pollution (causing about 8,800 premature deaths), and secondarily by ambient air pollution (about 7,200 premature deaths). Air pollution’s disease burden is disproportionately borne by infants and the elderly.

Water pollution is caused by the discharge of solid waste, industrial effluents, and toxic substances into water systems. As of the most recent analysis, the Water Resources Commission estimates that 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are polluted. Water pollution causes significant damage due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene (about 10,600 early deaths).

Runoff from smelting factories

Smelting factories in Ghana are a major source of water pollution. Runoff from these factories negatively impacts soil health and contributes to the overall water pollution in the country.

The Water Resources Commission estimates that 60% of Ghana's water bodies are polluted. Water pollution causes significant damage due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. As of the most recent analysis, the Water Resources Commission estimates that 60% of Ghana's water bodies are polluted.

Smelting factories create runoff that negatively impacts soil health and contributes to the overall water pollution in the country. More than half of the soil in Ghana contains over twice the amount of lead allowed by the EPA.

The runoff from smelting factories also contributes to air pollution, which is Ghana's number one environmental risk to public health. 100% of Ghana's population is exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines.

The runoff from smelting factories also contributes to land pollution, which is a major environmental challenge in Ghana. E-waste and unregulated or illegal industry combined with improper solid waste management contribute greatly to the land pollution seen across Ghana.

Plastic waste

Over 3,000 metric tons of plastic waste is generated every day in Ghana, which is equivalent to 1.1 million metric tons per year. An estimated 86% of this plastic waste is mismanaged.

Water pollution in Ghana is caused by the discharge of solid waste, industrial effluents, and toxic substances into water systems. Water bodies are polluted and tap water is unsafe to drink. Water pollution causes significant damage due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.

To address the issue of plastic waste pollution in Ghana, it is important to implement effective waste management strategies. This includes improving recycling and disposal practices, as well as educating the public about the importance of proper waste management. Additionally, the government can play a crucial role in regulating the production and use of plastic materials, as well as promoting sustainable alternatives.

By taking these steps, Ghana can work towards reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in its water systems and improve the overall health and safety of its water supply.

E-waste

Water pollution causes significant damage (equivalent to 3% of GDP) due to the health effects of an inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene (about 10,600 early deaths), as well as discharge of solid waste, industrial effluents, and toxic substances into water systems.

Water bodies are polluted and tap water is unsafe to drink. As of the most recent analysis, the Water Resources Commission estimates that 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are polluted.

Frequently asked questions