The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) has sounded the alarm over the devastating impact of illegal mining on the country’s water supply, warning that the contamination of vital water sources could force pharmaceutical companies to import water for drug production.
The society emphasised that this environmental crisis poses a direct threat to the quality of locally manufactured medicines.
PSG President Samuel Kow Donkoh, speaking at the Society’s Annual General Meeting, highlighted the severe implications of galamsey activities on water resources, which are critical to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
He cautioned that if the illegal mining persists, local pharmaceutical companies could face unsustainable costs in treating water, or worse, resort to importing water, threatening the viability of the industry.
“Our water bodies have been devastated by illegal mining, and pharmaceutical companies now struggle with the rising costs of water treatment for production purposes. If this trend continues, we may soon be forced to import water just to keep the industry afloat,” Donkoh warned.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding the quality of pharmaceutical products, stating that compromised water quality could directly impact the safety and efficacy of essential medicines for the public.
“We cannot afford to take chances with the quality of our drugs. The lives and health of Ghanaians depend on the production of safe, reliable medications,” Donkoh said.
In response to these concerns, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, assured that the government is stepping up efforts to combat illegal mining and mitigate its impact on the environment and essential industries like pharmaceuticals.
He called for a unified approach to tackling the menace, urging all political parties and stakeholders to rally behind the fight against galamsey.
“There are laws in place, and we will ensure they are enforced. But this fight is holistic, and we need everyone on board—political parties, civil society, and citizens alike,” Dr. Nsiah Asare emphasised.
In addition to environmental challenges, the Pharmaceutical Society also raised alarms over the ongoing shortage of pharmacists in the public sector, which has been exacerbated by the government’s hiring freeze.
Barimah Sarfo Tweneboah Koduah, representing the Asantehene at the event, called on the government to address the financial and staffing concerns in the health sector, particularly for pharmacists.
“The government must take immediate steps to meet the financial needs of pharmacists and ensure that the public health sector is adequately staffed to serve the growing healthcare demands of Ghanaians,” Koduah urged.
As the pharmaceutical industry navigates these challenges, PSG continues to advocate for stronger measures to protect the country’s water bodies, ensure sustainable local drug production, and address the pharmacist shortage.