He said his organization in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Board has so far closed down twenty sachet water companies in Accra for non compliance.
The closures come after reports that Eighty-five percent of ‘pure water’ produced in the country does not meet the required safety standards for the health of consumers, a survey conducted by the Ghana Chemical Society (GCS) revealed.
The study noted that most of the sachet water are contaminated because producers do not have standard laboratories with allied chemists to ensure safety standards.
Dr. Samuel Osafo-Acquaah, a senior lecturer at the chemistry department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and president of the society, urged the Ghana Standards Board, the Food and Drugs Board and other stakeholders to continuously educate and develop programs for the producers.
He asked the government to source funds for the producers to migrate to the production of bottled water which has better quality and does not pose major health problems.
Dr. Osafo-Acquaah who was responding to questions at a press briefing on Monday March 21, 2011, in connection with the World Water Day celebration and the International Year of Chemistry which fall on Thursday March 24, 2011, said the signs of water-borne diseases are now dawning on Ghanaians with the increase in Cholera cases which might be attributed to poor water quality and poor sanitation.
He said the survey further indicated that, in Ghana less than four out of every 10 people had access to clean water, while good sanitation is available to less than two out of every 10 Ghanaians. The society seeks to promote a better understanding of chemistry and its application in collaboration with industry.
It conducts research, consultancy and advocacy, provides important information and scientific data for policy formulation to meet the needs of individuals, industry, society and government.
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20 Sachet Water Companies Shut Down