A recent video circulating on social media shows the destruction of the Bonsa River in Tarkwa of the Western Region by activities of illegal miners.
These illegal workers, per the video, dredge machines to extract gold sediment from the river.
The waterbody is presently brown in colour- highlighting the intense pollution currently taking place.
This video surfaced briefly after a footage shared by Media General journalist, Berla Mundi, highlighted the government’s inability to rid the country of illegal mining activities that continue to plague the country – destroying water bodies and taking human lives, as promised by President Akufo-Addo, who put his presidency on the line.
The footage shared on August 31, 2024, shows the Pra River’s water appearing deep brown, indicating high levels of contamination.
The video also depicted numerous chamfan machines—used for processing ore—lined up along the river, confirming their use by illegal miners.
The pollution of the Pra River due to illegal mining activities is causing severe repercussions that extend beyond the immediate destruction of the water source and the lack of potable water for nearby communities.