Pollution of River Ankobra through 'galamsey' adversely impacts communities

River Ankobra_illegal mining

The Ankobra River, situated in the Western Region of Ghana, flows through the Juaboso and Nzema East districts.

The 2023 testing of samples from various catch points revealed high levels of arsenic, chromium, cadmium, and other harmful metals from illegal mining, popularly known as 'galamsey'.

Residents living at the estuary of River Ankobra have been sharing their experiences of how persistent pollution of the river by illegal mining (galamsey) continues to affect their lives.

They said the direct mining on the river and its tributaries has led to the loss of jobs for the fishermen, reduced access to quality water and tourism opportunities for the Ankobra town.

At the estuary, where it joins the sea at Axim, residents of Ankobra town are bearing the brunt of the pollution.

Luv Fm’ Erastus Asare Donkor went back to the community to gauge the situation and has filed this report.

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Illegal mining

River Ankobra