Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, has called on Ghanaian industries to invest in wastewater treatment to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
Speaking at the World Water Day 2026 forum hosted by the Embassy of Denmark at Nutrifoods Ghana’s Tema factory, she expressed concern that less than four per cent of wastewater in Ghana is treated, while over 95 per cent is discharged untreated into water bodies, posing serious risks to ecosystems and public health.
To address the situation, she revealed that the Ministry is preparing a legislative instrument to regulate wastewater discharge into water bodies. Hon. Gizella Agbotui stated that the adoption of wastewater treatment systems is critical, as safe water is a basic human need for health and well-being.
She outlined government efforts through agencies such as the Community Water and Sanitation Agency and the Ghana Water Company Limited to address the issue and noted that urbanisation, pollution, and climate pressures demand broader collective action.
The Deputy Minister urged regulators to strengthen enforcement while supporting innovation, saying industrial growth must go hand in hand with responsible water management and inclusive development.
