The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) has raised concern that the country may be forced to import water for local pharmaceutical production if illegal mining is not swiftly tackled.
Speaking at its 2024 annual general meeting, the society highlighted the severe impact of illegal mining on water bodies, which has led to a significant rise in the cost of water treatment for manufacturing.
PSG noted that the environmental damage caused by these mining activities is making water treatment for pharmaceutical production increasingly expensive, further driving up the cost of medicine in Ghana.
PSG President, Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh, cautioned that if illegal mining is not curbed, Ghana may soon be forced to import water to sustain the local manufacturing industry.
He emphasized that local manufacturers currently supply all the infusions required in the country, but this depends on access to high-quality water.
The society is calling on the government to implement strict measures to combat illegal mining, which is jeopardizing water sources vital for various industrial uses.
“The activities of illegal miners in particular have devastated our water bodies, making it increasingly expensive for pharmaceutical companies to treat water for their manufacturing processes. Ghana currently enjoys self-sufficiency in local production of infusions but illegal mining threatens this achievement.
“If this environmental degradation continues, we may soon face the grave reality of importing water to support our local manufacturing industry. The pollution from these mining activities is so severe that expensive technology is also required to treat water, contributing to the high cost of medicines. We therefore call on the government to take urgent decisive action to end this lawlessness” the society emphasized.
