The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, has announced that approximately $35 million is needed to thoroughly purify the Birim River, a waterway severely contaminated by unauthorised mining operations (popularly known as Galamsey).
Speaking to journalist during an initial deployment of ionic nano copper technology at Kyebi-Adukrom in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Professor Klutse noted that although early indications demonstrate noticeable enhancement in treated portions of the waterway, expanding this effort across the river’s full length will necessitate considerable financial resources.
According to her, acquiring sufficient technology to treat one kilometer of a running water body costs roughly $200,000, meaning the agency would require around $35 million to rehabilitate the river.
“We spent approximately $200,000 to obtain materials capable of cleaning one kilometer of any flowing water body. The Birim River spans about 175 kilometers, so calculating this brings us to roughly $35 million,” she stated. Professor Klutse further mentioned that while the trial effort has shown encouraging outcomes within a brief timeframe, ongoing financial dedication is essential to returning the river to acceptable environmental conditions.
The Birim River has experienced severe deterioration in recent years from illicit mining activities, which have drastically compromised water purity, harmed aquatic life, and diminished available clean water for neighboring populations.
The ionic nano copper approach represents part of an expanded initiative to reclaim damaged waterways and reinforce enduring water resource administration nationwide.
