Principal Dietician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mrs Efua Owusu Ansah, has urged the government to intensify the fight against illegal mining.
She warned that its impact on water bodies poses serious public health risks.
Speaking on Otec FM’s morning show, she said clean water, which is essential to the human body, is becoming increasingly scarce due to the destructive activities of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to her, the pollution of rivers and streams has long-term implications for nutrition and overall health.
Mrs Owusu Ansah explained that inadequate intake of clean water can contribute to kidney-related problems, as water plays a vital role in supporting normal kidney function.
“The kidneys depend on sufficient clean water to remove waste from the blood in the form of urine,” she said.
She noted that water helps flush out substances such as sodium, urea and other waste products, thereby reducing pressure on the kidneys.
“Drinking plenty of fluids helps the kidneys to clear sodium, urea and waste products from the body, potentially lowering the risk of developing chronic kidney disease,” she stated.
The dietician, who is also the CEO of Enjoy Your Health Consult and Melgoshun Foods, made these remarks during her daily health segment on the Otec FM morning show, hosted by Kwaku Owusu Boateng, on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
She used the platform to link environmental degradation caused by illegal mining to emerging health concerns in communities affected by polluted water sources.
Mrs Owusu Ansah advised the public to cultivate the habit of drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day to boost metabolism and maintain good health.
However, she cautioned against excessive water intake, explaining that it can overwhelm the kidneys and dilute sodium levels in the blood, a condition she described as water intoxication or hyponatremia.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
