Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has been accused of issuing fictitious and inaccurate statements regarding its access to and sharing of river turbidity data. Journalist Evans Mensah stated that GWL staff confirmed they could not provide turbidity data due to warnings against sharing it, directly contradicting GWL's public denial.
Mensah's claims stem from his attempts to obtain turbidity data for a JoyNews programme, PMExpress. He reported that senior GWL sources, who previously shared such data, became unwilling. One official explicitly stated, "I have been personally told to stay away from talking about galamsey," indicating fear of victimisation for sharing information.
This dispute occurs amidst Ghana's ongoing struggle against galamsey, or illegal mining, which severely pollutes water bodies. The turbidity data is crucial for understanding the extent of this pollution and its impact on water treatment. GWL's alleged reluctance to share this data raises significant questions about transparency in public institutions and their role in addressing national crises.
GWL's statement, signed by its Managing Director on 17 August 2026, asserted that it was "totally untrue that the Presidency has directed GWL to withhold river turbidity data." Mensah clarified he never attributed the data withholding to a presidential directive. Instead, he stated GWL staff told him they were simply "told not to" share the data, implying internal directives or pressure.
The controversy deepened as GWL also claimed it only conducts turbidity tests during treatment and that the Water Resources Commission (WRC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hold primary responsibility for river body data. However, Mensah presented evidence, including GWL's own "Water Quality Assurance Coagulation Test" records for the Ayensu River at Kwanyako Headworks, proving GWL collects data on natural river bodies.
Furthermore, JoyNews reporters previously visited the Kwanyako Headworks on 6 September 2025, after GWL shut it down due to high turbidity. On that occasion, GWL officers shared turbidity records dating back to 2016. The data showed a catastrophic increase from 25 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) in 2016 to 94,800 NTU in September 2025, directly linked to illegal mining activities.
This historical sharing of data directly contradicts GWL's current stance that it does not hold official data on natural river bodies. Mensah questioned why GWL's Managing Director now points to other agencies for data GWL clearly possesses and has shared before. This shift in GWL's position suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid transparency regarding the impact of galamsey.
The implications of GWL's alleged data withholding are significant for public health and environmental monitoring. Without transparent access to turbidity data, it becomes harder for the public and policymakers to assess the true scale of water pollution from illegal mining. This lack of transparency could hinder effective policy responses and public accountability in the fight against galamsey.
Decision-makers and civil society organisations will likely scrutinise GWL's actions closely. The public expects clear, consistent information from state-owned enterprises, especially on matters affecting essential services like water supply. The ongoing debate underscores the critical need for robust data governance and accountability within Ghana's public sector.
The incident highlights a broader challenge in Ghana: ensuring public institutions provide accurate and timely information, particularly when it concerns environmental degradation. Transparency is vital for fostering trust and enabling informed public discourse on national issues. The public will watch for further responses from GWL and other relevant agencies.