Madam Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, Deputy Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, has called on industries to be more intentional about treating their wastewater to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
She said the adoption of efficient effluent treatment systems was critical to ensuring that industrial discharge was properly managed to safeguard water bodies and public health.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at the commissioning of Nutrifoods Ghana Limited’s upgraded effluent treatment plant as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and responsible industrial operations in Ghana.
The project was undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy in Ghana and designed by Alumichem, a firm with expertise in advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions.
The commissioning also coincided with the global observance of World Water Day, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices.
Madam Tetteh-Agbotui said companies that prioritised sustainability and environmental consciousness should be recognised and encouraged, highlighting the need to maximise the use of treated wastewater, particularly in construction, to reduce pressure on potable water resources.
“With ongoing infrastructure development and road construction projects across the country, there was increasing demand for water, making it necessary to explore alternative sources,” she added.
She suggested that contractors could collaborate with industries to utilise treated effluent for activities such as concrete works, especially in areas where treatment plants were located near construction sites.
She said such partnerships would help conserve potable water for domestic and industrial use while promoting efficient resource management nationwide.
Madam Tetteh-Agbotui described the plant as efficient and capable of properly treating industrial discharge before release into the environment.
The Deputy Minister commended the Embassy of Denmark for facilitating the technology, noting that such interventions would encourage factories to adopt responsible waste management practices.
Mr Jay Anjaria, the Business Country Head, Nutrifoods Ghana Limited, said the initiative underscored Nutrifoods’ commitment to adopting world-class production standards while safeguarding the environment.
He recounted that the Company was established over a decade ago through a partnership between Olam International and Sanyo Foods to meet the snack and culinary needs of Ghanaians.
“At Nutrifoods, we adopt world-class standards for efficient and responsible production, while maintaining the highest quality benchmarks in developing home-grown brands”
“Our products are proudly Ghanaian, born, made, and designed in Ghana for Africa and the world,” he added.
He said the upgraded facility would enable the company to save a minimum of 8,000 litres of water daily, equivalent to about 16,000 sachet bags, which would be reused for gardening and green belt development.
The Business Country Head explained that the technology would help industries meet regulatory requirements set by the Environmental Protection Authority by ensuring proper treatment of wastewater before discharge.
“Beyond water treatment, the plant also contributes to renewable energy generation,” he added.
Mr. Anjaria said sludge produced from the process was transported to a biogas facility where it was converted into electricity, reducing waste and supporting sustainable energy use.
He emphasised that the investment reflected Nutrifoods’ dedication to responsible business practices, compliance with Ghana’s environmental laws, and collaboration with regulators and industry partners.
He expressed hope that the initiative would inspire other industries to adopt innovative solutions to address Ghana’s industrial wastewater management challenges and protect the environment.
GNA
