Illegal miners use harmful chemicals to destroy water bodies

The Ashanti Regional Chief Production Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Mr. Francis Kwesi Awotwe, has cautioned against the unrestrained destruction and pollution of water sources in the region, describing the situation as grim.

He cited harmful chemicals used by illegal miners – cyanide, mercury and other waste substances, and said these were a big danger to water quality and making it increasingly expensive to treat the water to make it safe.

Indiscriminate tree felling and bush burning had also combined to remove the vegetative cover along river beds, fueling the dry up of many of the water sources.

Mr. Awotwe’s warning comes as the nation joined in the celebration of the World’s Water Day.

He said the Odaso Water Supply in Obuasi was now facing a major difficulty as the intake had become filled with silt and there was also high concentration of hurtful chemicals from the illegal gold mining operations in the area.

The Konongo and Mampong water systems are annually plagued by unavailability of water due to the destructive activities of illegal chainsaw operators and charcoal burners.

Mr. Awotwe said there was an urgent need for all to act together to protect the water sources to avert potential crisis.

It should not be business as usual and that it was time those behind the destructive activities were firmly dealt with.

He hinted of a collaboration between the Regional and District Security Councils to arrest and prosecute those wreaking havoc on water sources.

He asked chiefs and other community leaders to take centre stage in efforts at preserving the rivers and streams.