By King Amoah
The country is facing a pressing water crisis that has become increasingly palpable in many regions, particularly in the Ashanti Region, where the local population struggles with the adverse effects of environmental degradation.
According to Kofi Abrompa, a cocoa farmer from Kenyase in the Kwabre East District, the responsibility for this crisis lies squarely on the shoulders of both government officials and traditional chiefs who have failed to adequately confront the rampant activities of illegal miners in the society.
Abrompa in an interview noted that water crisis in Ghana has reached an alarming levels, with significant repercussions for agriculture, health, and the overall economy.
He said rivers and streams, once sources of life and thriving ecosystems, are becoming polluted and depleted due to unlawful mining activities.
The impact is especially disastrous for farmers like Abrompa, who rely heavily on clean water supplies for irrigation and sustainable agriculture practices.
Abrompa indicated that without access to protected water sources, crop yields sour and food security becomes jeopardized.
According to him illegal mining, often referred to as “Galamsey,” is a scourge that has plagued Ghana for years.
Stressing that despite various government initiatives and declarations aimed at curbing this activity, illegal miners continue to exploit nature with little to no oversight.
These operations frequently use harmful chemicals, which leach into water bodies, contaminating drinking water supplies and harming aquatic life.
Abrompa asserts that the inaction of both the government and local chiefs emboldens these illegal miners, allowing them to flourish at the expense of citizens’ fundamental rights, including access to clean water.
The lack of stringent law enforcement and community engagement, he opened is increasingly viewed as a dereliction of duty
Kofi Aproma insisted that the government has a critical role in addressing this crisis.
He cited the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, along with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as the institutions to, bear the responsibility for enforcing environmental regulations and protecting water bodies.
Kofi Abrompa’s frustrations echo a larger sentiment among many citizens who feel their government has failed to act decisively.
Critically needed are comprehensive strategies that not only clamp down on illegal operations but also promote alternative livelihoods for those engaged in mining activities, Kofi Aproma winded up.
