Residents along River Pra are polluting the river

Nyakoma (Ash), Aug 19, GNA- Communities along the Pra river in the Asante-Akim South district are said to be fishing in the river with poisonous chemicals.

As a result of this bilharzias and other water-borne diseases were affecting communities whose only source of drinking water was Pra river. It has, therefore, forced teachers to refuse postings to the communities.

This was made known when Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister visited Nyakoma as part of his tour of the district on Tuesday. Mr George Addo, Assemblyman for Osaabo electoral area told the Regional Minister and his entourage.

Mr Addo named the affected communities as Osaabo, Okoree-Krom, Yaw Addokrom, Tetteh Yawkrom, Oko Yawkrom, Nyakoma and Nkyesa. He said though there had been several warnings and in some cases the culprits were arrested and prosecuted, some recalcitrant ones who were bent on making money to the detriment of the people's health were still polluting the river.

Mr Addo appealed to the government to extend pipe borne water to the communities to save them from contracting water-borne diseases. The Regional Minister inaugurated a Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) at Morso and asked the people to use the power judiciously.

He also inspected work on the Juaso Hospital ward complex under construction and nurses' quarters, at Komeso, which is also under construction.

Mr Boafo addressed similar durbars at Odubi, Komeso, Obogu, Yaw Barima and Nkwanta, and told the people that government was trying to make agriculture a very profitable venture since it was the single most important economic sustenance of the country.

Nana Owusu-Ansah Sikatuo, Obogumanhene, commended the Regional Minister for explaining government policies to the people and stressed the need for political parties to be tolerant of each other's views to ensure peaceful elections in December.