The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) has expressed serious concerns regarding the possibility of the nation needing to import water to support domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, should illegal mining operations not be promptly addressed.
This caution was issued during the society’s 2024 annual general meeting, where the PSG emphasized the significant repercussions of illegal mining on aquatic ecosystems, resulting in rising water treatment expenses crucial for pharmaceutical production.
The PSG elucidated that the environmental degradation resulting from illicit mining activities is making the local water treatment for pharmaceutical production progressively more expensive. They noted that this obligation plays a role in the increasing costs of pharmaceuticals in Ghana.
PSG President, Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh, cautioned that if immediate steps are not taken to combat illegal mining, Ghana could face the daunting prospect of importing water to support local industries.
He emphasized that the pharmaceutical manufacturers within the country, who presently fulfill all national infusion requirements, are significantly reliant on access to clean water.
The community is advocating for the government to enforce stringent regulations to address illegal mining, which jeopardizes essential water sources utilized for various purposes.
“The operations of illegal miners have significantly polluted our water sources, resulting in increased costs for pharmaceutical companies to purify water for their production requirements.” Although Ghana has achieved self-sufficiency in local infusion production, the threat posed by illegal mining jeopardizes this significant achievement.
Should this environmental degradation continue unabated, we may soon face the sobering prospect of relying on imported water for our industries. The extent of pollution has reached a level that necessitates the implementation of expensive technologies for water purification, thereby exacerbating the financial burden associated with medicines. Dr. Donkoh emphasized the necessity for the government to implement prompt and resolute measures to eradicate this state of lawlessness.
