By Alex Ababio
The persistent pollution of the Danyame River has forced residents of Begroase, located in the Adonkoase Electoral Area of the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, to depend heavily on purchased water for their daily needs.
Residents complain that tap water is often unclean and unreliable, leaving them with no choice but to buy water to survive.
When this reporter visited the area to assess the river’s condition and its impact on residents, it became evident that accessing safe water has become a major challenge.
Threat of Food Shortages
A troubling development is that this farming community has turned into a hotspot for illegal mining activities.
Many farmlands in the Adonkoase Electoral Area have been taken over for gold mining, leading to a decline in food production.
“Food and water are now very expensive because farming has reduced significantly due to the galamsey. Life is becoming unbearable for some of us,” said a distressed resident, Madam Akua Ataa.
Pollution of the Danyame River
The Danyame River, once a vital source of water for farming, drinking, and other domestic activities, has been severely polluted by illegal mining operations.
Residents are calling for urgent action to address the situation.
“Just five days ago, when I returned from the farm and opened the tap, the water was as polluted as the Danyame River. We are pleading with the District Assembly, led by the Chief Executive, to take firm action against illegal mining. This destruction is alarming, and we shouldn’t politicize this fight,” said an upset resident, James Mensah.
A Call to Action
The 75-year-old Odikro of Begroase, Nana Kobea Nuamah, is deeply worried about the future if illegal mining continues unchecked.
“Galamsey has destroyed all our water sources. If not for the help of a Christian group that provided a borehole, we would have no potable water. If you don’t take water to the farm, you won’t have anything to drink. A few years ago, you could see the bottom of the river clearly, and there were different types of fish. Now, it’s all gone because of the pollution. If this isn’t stopped, future generations will suffer,” she lamented.
Financial Burden
While some residents rely on groundwater and rainwater, others have no choice but to buy water daily, which strains their finances.
“I spend almost GHC120 every week on water. A barrel costs GHC30 and lasts less than three days,” said Adanse Buor Emmanuel, the Assembly Member for the Adonkoase Electoral Area.
Residents are hopeful that the renewed fight against illegal mining will help restore their water bodies, as the ongoing destruction continues to impact their lives and livelihoods.
