Local women in Egila (Gwira Dominase) in the Nzema East district of Ghana have expressed concern over the continued destruction of the Ankobra river from irresponsible mining in their communities.
In the absence of any alternatives, local women have resorted to the use of alum to “purify” the heavily polluted water for their commercial food processing activities and for their personal use.
Pollution from uncontrolled, poorly regulated mining in Ghana continues to wreak havoc on local communities. Once pristine rivers that served as the source of sustenance for many have become poisoned ponds, thus posing a major risk of mercury and cyanide poisoning to the people.
Here, poisoned water flows freely into the Ankobra, while miners on makeshift rafts actively mined the river in contravention of local laws, which for the time being, are barely enforced.
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