Prof. Yvonne Sena Akosua Loh Warns Against 'Groundwater Galamsey' as Unregulated Borehole Drilling Threatens Ghana's Water Security

While Ghana continues to grapple with the visible environmental devastation caused by illegal surface mining, a new and more insidious threat known as 'Groundwater Galamsey' is quietly compromising the nation’s water security. This phenomenon, highlighted by Professor Yvonne Sena Akosua Loh, refers to the reckless and unregulated drilling of boreholes across the country without essential scientific oversight or hydrogeological assessments. Unlike traditional illegal mining, the impacts of which are immediately apparent in muddied rivers and scarred landscapes, groundwater galamsey remains a silent crisis that jeopardizes the integrity of aquifers and the health of millions of citizens who rely on private wells.

The core of the problem lies in the absence of professional expertise and water quality testing during the construction of these boreholes. Prof. Loh emphasizes that many property owners assume that clear water is inherently safe; however, without proper geological evaluation, these sources may harbor harmful substances or become contaminated through poor drilling techniques. The lack of documentation and monitoring means that many communities are unknowingly exploiting a finite resource in a way that could lead to the depletion of existing water supplies and the degradation of the national water table.

The surge in borehole drilling is largely driven by rapid urbanization and the mounting pressures of climate change, which have left many Ghanaians seeking alternatives to the public water system. However, treating groundwater as a private commodity rather than a shared national resource creates a systemic risk. The author argues that the current 'free-for-all' approach to drilling lacks the necessary regulatory enforcement to prevent long-term environmental damage. Without a shift toward responsible management, the very resource intended to provide water security could instead become a source of public health crises and agricultural failure.

To address this emerging crisis, stakeholders including the government, professional drillers, and local communities must prioritize groundwater stewardship and adhere to strict scientific standards. Prof. Loh calls for a comprehensive framework that includes mandatory documentation, ongoing monitoring of borehole performance, and the enforcement of existing regulations. Protecting Ghana's water future requires a collective recognition that groundwater management is not merely a private convenience but a vital component of national security that demands transparency, accountability, and professional integrity.