The Tano River has been polluted due to galamsey activities
Correspondence from the Ahafo Region
Residents of Tanoso and several other communities in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region have raised serious concerns over the growing contamination of the Tano River, which serves as a major source of water for them.
The residents assert that the polluted Tano River poses a grave threat to public health and livelihoods, likely increasing the risk of waterborne diseases while undermining farming, fishing, and other economic activities that depend on the river.
According to the residents, the pollution of the water body is the result of a surge in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, upstream on the River Bisi at Adegyemim, a major tributary of the Tano River, which has released silt, chemicals, and other contaminants into the river, severely degrading its quality downstream.
“The Tano River has become heavily polluted and can no longer be used for drinking, cooking, or other domestic purposes, largely due to the destructive activities of illegal miners operating in some upstream communities,” Opare Enock, a resident, disclosed.
Agyei Benedict, a farmer who has relied on the Tano River for years, expressed deep concern over the worsening situation, saying it is increasingly affecting every farmer in the area.
“Every day we watch the river turn murkier, and with it, our hopes for a good harvest fade because the water we once relied on to irrigate our fields is no longer safe, and if this continues, many of us won’t be able to provide for our families or keep our farms running,” he said.
When contacted for a comment on the matter, the Municipal Chief Executive of Tano North Municipality said that the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) is taking proactive measures to address the situation, assuring that coordinated efforts are underway to clamp down on illegal mining activities and protect the affected water bodies.
“Yes, it has come to our attention. The Municipal Security Council yesterday toured the stretch of the river in the municipality, and we are dealing with the issue,” he stated.
Meanwhile, credible information available to GhanaWeb indicates that some treatment plants of the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) have been shut down due to the severe pollution of the river, affecting the constant water supply to Abesim, Sunyani, Tanoso, and several other communities.
