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By Samuel Asamoah
African diplomats, environmentalists and governance experts have raised serious concerns over the future of water security on the continent, warning that clean and safe drinking water could become inaccessible to millions of Africans if urgent action is not taken to halt environmental degradation and illegal mining.
The caution was made at the 2026 African Union Day Leadership Summit held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Teshie, Accra.
The summit, organised by the Pan Africa Union Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission in partnership with the International Association of World Peace Advocates, focused on the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve Agenda 2063.”
Speakers at the event described the growing pollution of rivers and water bodies across Africa as a major threat to human survival, public health and economic development.
They attributed the worsening destruction of freshwater resources largely to illegal mining, poor waste management practices, industrial pollution and weak enforcement of environmental regulations.
The participants noted that although climate change continues to intensify drought conditions and water stress across many African countries, irresponsible human activities remain the leading cause of the rapid depletion and contamination of water resources.
Among the dignitaries who addressed the summit were UN Eminent Peace Ambassador and Climate Change Advocate, Samuel Ben Owusu, Professor Laud Mensah of the Ministry of Local Government, Professor Wazi Apoh of the University of Ghana’s Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, and Ambassador Victor Anang, Special Emissary for Political Affairs in Africa.
The speakers warned that African governments may soon be compelled to commit huge financial resources toward the importation and treatment of potable water if immediate interventions are not implemented to protect rivers and other natural water sources.
According to them, access to clean water should never become a privilege reserved for a wealthy minority but must remain a basic human necessity essential for sustainable development and social stability.
The summit further called on African governments to intensify the fight against illegal mining by targeting financiers and influential individuals behind environmentally destructive activities.
Participants also advocated stronger environmental governance policies, stricter sanctions against offenders and increased investment in sustainable sanitation and water management systems.
Youth participation in environmental protection efforts also featured prominently during discussions, with speakers urging governments and institutions to empower young people to champion climate action and natural resource conservation initiatives.
A representative of the National Chief Imam appealed to Africans to collectively safeguard the environment, stressing the need for responsible stewardship of natural resources to protect future generations.
The summit comes at a time when many African countries continue to struggle with access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation, despite ongoing commitments under the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Speakers maintained that Ghana and other African nations must sustain aggressive measures against illegal mining and environmental pollution to avert what they described as a looming continental water crisis.
