A surge in illegal mining activities in the Densu River basin, a crucial water source for Accra, risks exacerbating water shortages for over 2 million residents.
The Ghana Water Company Limited treats water from the Densu River for distribution, but pollution from mining has increased turbidity levels to alarming heights.
Channel One News investigation reveals that miners have invaded the Densu Basin, encroaching on buffers and mining directly in the river with excavators, releasing harmful chemicals.
The diversion of the river’s course has enabled intense mining, operating day and night without fear.
Cynthia Dansoa, Assembly Member for Potrase Electoral Area, expressed distress over the devastation, while Kaba Abakeh, Assistant Basin Officer at the Water Resources Commission, warned of the dangerous turbidity levels.
Felix Addo-Okyere, Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), deemed the situation a national security threat requiring urgent attention.
The government’s task force, Operation Vanguard, appears to have gone silent, allowing the destruction of water bodies and forest reserves.
Environmentalists and stakeholders question whether the fight against illegal mining has been lost.
Hopeson Eli Etsra, Landscape Manager at A Rocha Ghana, emphasised the need for action to save the Densu River.
The Minerals Commission faced resistance from armed illegal miners during a recent visit, highlighting the challenges in addressing the issue.
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