A Ghanaian engineer has called on the government to consider large-scale investment in seawater desalination technology as part of efforts to address the country’s growing water challenges driven by rapid urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, and industrial pollution.
Engineer Emmanuel Cudjoe, Parts and Process Coordinator at Liebherr Ghana Limited at the Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, believes Ghana can harness its vast coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to produce clean and sustainable drinking water for domestic and industrial use.
According to him, the increasing demand for potable water and the gradual decline in the quality and availability of freshwater resources pose a serious threat to the country’s socio-economic development, public health, agriculture, and industrial growth.
Speaking on the issue, Engineer Cudjoe noted that although Ghana is geographically advantaged with direct access to the sea, little attention has been paid to the enormous potential of seawater as an alternative source of fresh water.
“The sea contains the largest percentage of water on our planet. With the right technology and investment, Ghana can harness this resource to provide a reliable and sustainable supply of fresh water for its citizens,” he stated.
He explained that many countries across the world have successfully adopted desalination technologies to convert seawater into safe drinking water through advanced systems such as reverse osmosis, which removes salt and impurities from seawater.
Engineer Cudjoe identified countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Spain as global leaders in desalination technology.
According to him, these countries have invested significantly in research, innovation, and water infrastructure to guarantee a consistent supply of potable water despite facing severe freshwater scarcity.
“Some of these countries have faced severe freshwater scarcity for decades, yet through technological advancement and strategic planning, they have managed to secure reliable water supplies for their populations. Israel, for example, produces a significant portion of its municipal water through desalination plants,” he explained.
He further observed that desalination technology has improved considerably over the years, making it more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective compared to previous decades.
Engineer Cudjoe stressed that Ghana could begin by establishing pilot desalination plants in coastal communities where access to clean water remains a challenge before gradually expanding the initiative to other parts of the country.
He also highlighted the potential economic and social benefits associated with desalination projects, including job creation, enhanced industrial productivity, improved agricultural activities, and increased resilience against droughts and unpredictable weather conditions linked to climate change.
The engineer therefore called on the government, development partners, academic and research institutions, and private sector investors to collaborate in exploring seawater desalination as a long-term strategy to strengthen the country’s water security.
“As the population continues to grow and climate change intensifies, Ghana must begin planning for the future. Investing in seawater desalination today could help prevent severe water shortages tomorrow and guarantee access to clean water for generations to come,” he maintained.
Story by Yaw Boagyan
