Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has reiterated the need for concerted efforts to salvage water bodies destroyed and polluted through illegal mining.
She noted that although the government is not against artisanal small scale mining, it should be done appropriately and responsibly to save water bodies and to reduce the cost of water treatment.
Madam Dapaah said this at a durbar at Prestea in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region as part of her working tour to assess the state of water bodies and strengthen efforts to protect the water bodies against destruction. She visited the Bonsa River to check on the level of damage caused by galameyers and to ascertain challenges faced by the Ghana Water Company in its efforts draw fresh water for treatment.
Madam Abena Dapaah reminded the people that, the lack of portable drinking water generates diseases like cholera and bilharzia among others which is not the best. She added that, galamsey activities is destroying the water bodies and the menace must be stopped, saying, fish and crab can no longer be seen in rivers as a result of galamsey.
She stated that, if it continues like this the country’s future generation will suffer the consequences. Madam Dapaah said the rationale for the visit is to check on the water systems in the region and called for the engagement of the communities on the fight against galamsey.
The Divisional Chief of Prestea-Heman Traditional Area, Nana Nteboa Pra called for the localization of the fight against galamsey to help curb the situation.
According to him, it is imperative to halt activities of illegal mining to improve the socio-development of the country. He, therefore, called for concerted efforts by the government, stakeholders and individuals in fighting illegal mining activities in the country.
The Municpal Chief Executive for Prestea-Huni Valley, Isaac Dasmani said the Municipality is faced with numerous challenges as a result of the pollution of river bodies.
He added that, farmers now buy sachet water to their various farms due to the pollution and destruction of the rivers as a result of galamsey activities.
Mr Dasmani said processes with regards to the establishment of community mining are underway and will be completed soon to absorb the young men in the Municipality.
