Illegal mining activities in Potrase, Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region, severely jeopardise the Densu River, a vital water source for millions of Ghanaians.
The river’s escalating turbidity is now endangering potable water supplies for approximately three million residents, exacerbating food insecurity in the region.
Rampant mining has stripped away the river’s natural cover and watershed, disregarded buffer zones, and disrupted the river’s course.
The Densu River, previously an essential resource, now exhibits alarming turbidity levels exceeding 230 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).
This is drastically higher than the acceptable drinking water standard of 5 NTU and the recommended range of 80-150 NTU for other uses.
The increased turbidity poses a significant risk to the Ghana Water Company’s intake point, which supplies water to the Weija Dam and other facilities along the Densu Basin.
This threatens water availability for over three million people in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions, where 74% of the population relies on the river.
Illegal mining has also impacted the Apedwa and Atewa forests, furthering environmental damage and threatening the Densu Basin.
Smallholder farmers are already experiencing the adverse effects, losing land and facing challenges in crop diversification. Emmanuel Agbodo, a local farmer, reported the loss of his three-acre groundnut farm to mining activities.
The disruption extends to crop traders, who face higher costs and longer travel distances to procure produce, raising concerns about food security. Comfort Konor, a concerned trader, highlighted issues of unsafe water and increased travel to source produce.
Local leaders call for alternative strategies to prevent youth involvement in illegal mining. Cynthia Dansowaa, the Assemblywoman of Potrase, suggested providing proper tools and employment opportunities to deter unlawful mining and protect environmental resources.
Investigations reveal that the miners need more licenses and permits from the Minerals Commission.
Regulators appear overwhelmed by the extensive damage. Kaba Abekah, Assistant Officer for the Densu Basin at the Water Resources Commission, noted that recent turbidity measurements reached 231 NTU and reported ongoing mining activities in surrounding communities.
Felix Addo-Okyireh, Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), warned of an impending water crisis due to the loss of watershed vegetation.
He called for immediate intervention by the task force, District Management Council, EPA, and Minerals Commission, highlighting that Akooko holds the mining concession, whose licenses have expired but continue to permit illegal mining activities.
Hopeson Eli Etsra, Landscape Manager of A ROCHA, emphasised the need for strict law enforcement to achieve environmental sustainability and meet the government’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
He stressed the importance of implementing existing environmental laws and ensuring that institutions like the EPA and Water Resources Commission can operate without interference to protect water sources and public health.
Without decisive action, the situation remains critical for the Densu River and the three million Ghanaians who depend on its water.
