The wanton pollution and destruction of the Tano River at Tanoso in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region by illegal mining activities around the river course have attracted a huge public concern in the area.
During a visit, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) noticed that the river which served as the major source of drinking water in the area had turned ‘brownish’ and gradually drying up.
Some farmers around the river told the GNA: “We are very surprised that the river has changed colour and we are even afraid to use it.”
In an interview with the GNA, Okyeame Yaw Boakye, the Linguist of Obrempong Kyei Baffour I, the Chief of Tanoso said the condition of the river now required urgent measures to preserve it for use.
He said the chiefs in the area had several complaints to the Tano North Municipal Assembly. However, the condition of the river continued to worsen.
Okyeame Boakye expressed regret that some landowners and farmers in the area had connived with the illegal miners, aiding them to undertake the illegal mining activities around the river course.
He said if nothing were not done immediately, the Tano River would be destroyed soon, as the dry season set-in.
Mr Moses Osei, a farmer in the area, told the GNA that the illegal miners around the Tano River enclave had armed themselves.
“It’s however dangerous to confront them,” he said, worriedly.
GNA
