Industrial waste discharged into rivers flowing through Tema's industrial enclave has severely polluted the Chemu Lagoon, killing fish and other aquatic life. According to Mr. Benjamin Bampoe, Urban Roads Engineer of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, the pollution compounded by siltation from nearby communities has affected the lagoon's ability to support aquatic life. This has also contributed to drainage challenges in the area.
Four major rivers flow through Tema's industrial area into the lagoon before discharging into the sea. Industrial activities involving aluminium, cement, chemicals, oil, and metal production contribute to the pollution through the discharge of untreated waste into the rivers. Mr. Bampoe stated that the lagoon can no longer support any fish or water life due to the combined waste.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly is working with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that factories treat their wastewater before discharging it into the environment. Mr. Bampoe stressed that industries must treat their waste at source, noting that attempting to clean the lagoon after pollutants have entered the water system would not address the problem.
Sand and mud washed from unpaved roads in nearby communities have accumulated in the river channels, blocking them over the past 15 years. Mr. Bampoe linked the blocked waterways to the flooding recorded on June 29 this year. The Strategic Sector Cooperation programme is promoting nature-based drainage solutions and other green approaches to address flooding.
A delegation of eight Danish politicians and parliamentarians visited the lagoon to familiarize themselves with Ghana's development and security programmes. The Danish team, led by Mr. Mathias Thuborg Madsen, Councillor for Cities, Water, and Climate at the Embassy of Denmark, expressed support for Ghana's efforts to address the issue.
Denmark will continue to support Ghana through the cooperation programme until 2030. The project brings together the City of Aarhus, Aarhus Vand, a Danish water utility company, Ghana Water Company Limited, and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly. The Danish team is also supporting efforts to address water losses from leaking pipelines and improve public water supply.
The collaboration aims to develop affordable, nature-based drainage systems to reduce flooding in Tema. Local assemblies are primarily responsible for domestic waste management, while industrial wastewater requires specialized treatment. The team is working together to discuss how they can address the challenges facing the Chemu Lagoon and Tema's drainage system.
Key points
- Industrial waste and siltation have severely polluted the Chemu Lagoon, killing aquatic life and contributing to drainage challenges in Tema.
- The Tema Metropolitan Assembly is working with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that factories treat their wastewater before discharging it into the environment.
- Denmark will continue to support Ghana through the cooperation programme until 2030 to address the challenges facing the Chemu Lagoon and Tema's drainage system.
