E/R: Irrigation Is Our Major Problem- Ankaase Cocoa Farmers Cry Out

Access to Water for irrigation in Ankaase in the Atiwa East District in the Eastern Region has been a major problem for the Cocoa farmers in Ankaase, the Chief Farmer of Ankaase reveals.

According to Mr Owusu, the Chief Farmer, the activities of the illegal miners have polluted the about 4 main sources of water for irrigation.

He made this revelation to the Radio 1 News team upon visiting the Community on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 and added that the menace caused by the illegal mining activities on the water bodies is unimaginable.

According to Chief Farmer Owusu, they would have to carry water from the farm for spraying and other forms of irrigation since, Birim water is polluted beyond its relevance and cannot be used. The other 3 water bodies they resulted to which are; Adwenewonsu, Aboabo and Kwarko have recently in about 3 months ago been polluted also owing to the mining activities in the area.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Community, Nana Ansah Sasraku II said his attention has been drawn to the water being polluted but when he did follow ups, he realised the mining company is not on their land but in the surrounding town but since the rivers flow from those towns through Ankaase, they witness the harm also in their community even as they do not mine in the area anymore. He also revealed that the open pits left by the miners have been given out for concession which they promise to refill in the dry season.

Ankaase is facing challenges with potable water since out of the 5 boreholes in the community, only 2 are working and the entire community depend on these for household use and farm irrigation even as there is no reservoir.

By:Radio1News|Ghana|Obido Nana Gyasi