As we continue our journey exploring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we turn our attention to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation is essential for promoting human health, dignity, and well-being.
In Africa, millions of people lack access to clean water and sanitation, with devastating consequences for their health, education, and economic productivity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 844 million people in Africa lack access to clean water, and 230 million people lack access to basic sanitation facilities (WHO, 2020).
My personal experience with this issue began during my MSc and PhD research, where I focused on the impact of heavy metal contamination on communities in Nigeria. Specifically, I investigated the effects of artisanal gold mining on water sources in Zamfara, Niger, and Kebbi states.
What I found was alarming. The water sources in these communities were contaminated with high levels of lead, posing serious health risks to the people who relied on them. But what was even more striking was the reason behind this artisanal gold mining. Poverty.
Many of the communities I studied had turned to artisanal gold mining as a means of survival. With limited economic opportunities and a lack of access to basic services like healthcare and education, they saw gold mining as a way to make ends meet. And they were willing to risk their health and the health of their families to do so.
The consequences of this contamination are dire. Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems, including neurological damage, kidney disease, and even death. My research showed that the communities I studied were disproportionately affected, with high levels of lead contamination in their water and soil.
So, what can be done to address this crisis and ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all in Africa?
Here are some solutions that individuals, organizations, and governments can implement:
1. Invest in Water Infrastructure: Invest in the development of water infrastructure, including pipes, pumps, and treatment plants.
2. Promote Water Conservation: Promote water conservation practices, such as rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse.
3. Support Sanitation and Hygiene Programs: Support programs that promote sanitation and hygiene practices, including the construction of toilets and handwashing facilities.
4. Address Poverty and Economic Inequality: Address the root causes of poverty and economic inequality that drive communities to engage in artisanal gold mining and other hazardous activities.
5. Engage Communities: Engage with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation, and involve them in the planning and implementation of water and sanitation projects.
As someone who has dedicated their research to addressing the impact of heavy metal contamination on communities in Nigeria, I am committed to continuing this work. I believe that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that all Africans have access to clean water and sanitation, and that we address the root causes of contamination and pollution.
Join me in this mission to promote access to clean water and sanitation in Africa. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for all.
Dr. Aderinsola Adio- Adepoju
Sustainability | Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Global Opportunities | Employability Skills