Mining Activities Polluting Our Water Bodies – Akyem Juaso Cocoa Farmers Lament

News gathered by Obido Nana Gyasi of Radio 1 Ghana 100.7fm can proof that the water bodies serving most cocoa farmers on their farms and also as sources of drinking for the people of Akyem Juaso in the Fanteakwa South district in the Eastern Region have been polluted by the  mining activities of the miners.

This was disclosed in an interview with some cocoa farmers when the Obido Nana Gyasi visited the town.

According to the Gyantoahene of Akyem Juaso and a Cocoa Buyer, Mr. Nana Asare, he made it known that the water bodies in the town have been the source of drinking water and for farming activities for many years until recently that the illegal miners came and started their illegal mining popularly called ‘Galamsey’, mostly in some part of their water bodies in the town.

He said this has made it difficult for them to drink from the water bodies especially on the farms and also use for it for home activities. Mr. Asare expressed that because their water bodies are now contaminated by illegal mining and contain a lot of chemicals, this has made it challenging for it to be used for cocoa irrigation, and also this is causing serious health threats in the town.

Speaking to him, other farmers stated that they are now forced to take sachets of drinking water from home to the farm to quench their thirsts as well as gallons of water to their farms for irrigation activities which is not supposed to be so but due to the pollution of their water bodies they have no other option and eventually making farming unattractive and very difficult for them.

They are therefore appealing to the Government, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana Minerals Commission (GMC), the Security Agencies, and other benevolent organizations to come to their aid.

By: Radio1News|Ghana|Obido Nana Gyasi