In a move to tackle the increasing pollution of Ghana’s rivers, largely driven by illegal mining activities known as ‘galamsey,’ the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has initiated a water-cleaning operation on the Birim River at Kyebi Adukrom in the Abuakwa South Municipality, Eastern Region.
The project employs the Ionic Nano Copper pilot technology, a scientifically guided solution designed to restore degraded river systems and enhance long-term water resource management.
Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, CEO of the EPA, revealed that $200,000 from the Authority’s internally generated funds was invested to acquire the technology.
The system is capable of purifying up to one kilometer of a flowing river and has been described as a transformative tool for rehabilitating polluted water bodies.
Professor Klutse explained that the EPA and its partners spent a year conducting sampling and rigorous testing to evaluate the technology. She added that with additional support from civil society, NGOs, and other stakeholders, the government could reduce Ghana Water Limited’s costs for treating drinking water for citizens.