Birim River, Best To Worst

The Birim River is one of the main tributaries of the Pra River in Ghana and the country’s most important diamond-producing area, flowing through most of the width of the Eastern Region. The river rises in the east of the Atewa Range, flows north through the gap between this range and the Kwahu Plateau, then runs roughly south-west until it joins the Pra. It gives its name to the Birimian rock formation, which yields most of the gold in the region. Ghana is the second largest producer of gold in Africa.

But our dear Birim River has turn from good to bad. The imminent threat of Ghana’s water resources running dry in a few years ahead gets scarier by the day.

Water treatment plants are being shut down one after the other almost every time, due to pollution, largely by the activities of illegal miners.

The Head of Communications at the Ghana Water Company, Steve Mantey gave an overview of water bodies (Birim and Densu) in some regions that have been polluted by illegal mining activities.

Water Treatment Plant at Kyebi however had to be shut down due to high turbidity of the Birim water.

Giving a vivid description of the state of the Birim River, Mr. Mantey said “We have an old treatment plant at Kyebi which is not automated. Unfortunately the cause of the Birim is diverted and totally destroyed such that we cannot even see the waterway so you can imagine the state of the Birim now.”

This challenge has compelled the Ghana Water Company to construct a borehole which will serve small communities. but, the greater percentage of the population still do not have access to water.

The problem extends to the Koforidua and new Juaben communities, where water bodies have been polluted as a result of gallamsey.

Not only our water bodies but affecting the electricity system also, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has revealed that the destructive activities of illegal miners are affecting its operation in some parts of the Eastern region.

The company explained that the illegal miners sometimes prospect for gold around both high voltage and low voltage poles rendering the poles vulnerable to collapse from the slightest rainstorm.

Due to soil incompatibility and erosion of the mining sites the ground is rendered unstable for electricity poles erections, hence, the ECG had to spend extra money to divert voltage lines to areas which can guarantee stability.

The Eastern regional Manager of ECG Ing. Michael Baah said this Wednesday in an interview during an inspection of two primary substations at Asamankese and Suhum which are near completion that ECG is in support of the fight against galamsey as it poses serious challenges to the operation of the company.

Illegal mining activities in Ghana have led to the destruction of arable lands and pollution of water bodies with poisonous chemicals.

Experts have predicted that Ghana may import water after 2020 should the current situation continue unabated.

The Government has thus promised to deal with the menace once for all with comprehensive policy approach in the coming days aimed at preserving and conserving the environment from further destruction.

By: radiooneghana.com/Agyapong Michael