The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) has issued a warning concerning a potential importation of water to sustain local pharmaceutical production in the country, if the issue of galamsey is not tackled immediately.

PSG noted that environmental degradation from galamsey has made water treatment for local pharmaceutical production increasingly expensive, which has led to the high cost of medicines in the country, citinewsroom.com has reported.

The warning was issued during the society’s 2024 annual general meeting, where it highlighted the severe impacts of galamsey on water bodies and the rising costs of water treatment for manufacturing purposes.

Dr. Samuel Kow Donkor, President of PSG, cautioned that if immediate action is not taken to combat the illegal mining menace, Ghana may be forced to import water to support the local manufacturing industry.

He said, “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.”

He explained that while local manufacturers produce all infusions needed in the country, they rely on high quality water for production.

“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,” he stated.

PSG also called on the government to implement stricter measures to curb illegal mining activities, which are destroying vital water sources used for various industrial purposes.

RAD/AE