Galamsey: Twifo Atti-Morkwa residents raise alarm over severe pollution of Pra River

Palm oil manufacturers and residents in fishing communities in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region are calling on the government to urgently intervene to halt illegal mining (galamsey) activities polluting the Pra River.

The residents say the once-clean river, which they believe had spiritual significance and provided vital support for their livelihoods, has now been heavily degraded due to mining activities along its banks.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Twifo Praso, a farmer, Afia Nyankowah, and a palm oil processor, Joseph Yeboah, recalled how the Pra River used to be central to farming and palm oil production in the area.

They explained that the rise of illegal mining has severely contaminated the river, making it unsafe and unreliable for their daily economic activities.

Another palm oil manufacturer, Madam Sarbina Essien, also expressed concern over the worsening situation, saying the pollution has made it impossible for them to depend on the river for production.

She called for stronger government action, including the removal of mining equipment and the expulsion of illegal miners operating along the river.

Reacting to the concerns, the District Chief Executive for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Mr Isaac Yawson, told the GNA that several illegal miners had already been cleared from the area under his administration.

He added that efforts were underway to transition some of the miners into regulated small-scale mining operations as part of measures to improve the state of the Pra River.

Source:lovinghananews.com