The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi, says the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, led by President John Mahama, did not create the challenges facing several water treatment systems affected by illegal mining but is committed to helping resolve them.

Speaking at the signing of a funding agreement with Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Mr Gyamfi said the problems affecting the water supply systems predate the establishment of GOLDBOD.

"We are not the ones that created the problem we are talking about," he said.

"But it's all about Ghana, it's not about when the problem happens, it's about how we can solve it."

His remarks came as GOLDBOD committed GHS8.4 million towards the first phase of the rehabilitation of water treatment systems severely affected by illegal mining, sand winning and related activities in the Western and Central Regions.

According to Mr Gyamfi, Ghana Water Limited requested support to rehabilitate six critical water supply systems after severe siltation caused by environmental degradation.

He said feasibility studies conducted by GOLDBOD's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) officers confirmed that the water bodies had experienced extreme levels of siltation.

Due to budget constraints, he said the intervention will be implemented in phases, with the first phase covering the Abonsa, Abwasi and Enyirasi water supply systems.

Mr Gyamfi said the rehabilitation forms part of GOLDBOD's mandate under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which includes supporting environmental restoration and sustainability initiatives in addition to its gold trading functions.

He added that GOLDBOD is committed to ensuring the project is properly executed and will assign representatives to monitor implementation while Ghana Water Limited carries out the rehabilitation works.