Four individuals whose actions are believed to have left the Pra River in a devastating state due to illegal mining activities have been apprehended.
The recent arrest has not bode well with some citizens. They believe the recent number of arrested individuals is insignificant compared to the havoc caused by the illegal miners.
“Fanfooling.. until this came into the news recently, did they not know that galamsey was ongoing?.. if I owned a media house, I would not have even reported this,” a user wrote.
Another said, “Concert can these four guys afford to even buy a machine for that galamsey? The real sponsors are there.”
A video shared by Media General journalist, Berla Mundi, has 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.
Recent developments reveal that the contaminated river water is now being used to irrigate crops, putting public health at significant risk.
A cocoa farmer from Twifo Praso in the Central Region disclosed this concerning practice during an interview with TV3’s Berla Mundi. He explained that the scarcity of clean water has compelled farmers to use the polluted Pra River as their only water source for both domestic and commercial purposes.
The harmful chemicals from mining operations, which have seeped into the river, will now contaminate crops. These crops, which are to be used for domestic consumption and export, are being tainted with toxic substances such as mercury, arsenic, and lead—elements used in mineral processing that are dangerous to both aquatic life and humans.