Illegal mining activities have severely disrupted the natural flow of the River Ankobra, transforming parts of the once-vibrant water body into a stagnant, polluted pool.

0

A JoyNews investigation has revealed that miners in Prestea-Hemang and Awodua in the Western Region have completely blocked sections of the river, using excavators to mine directly within the Ankobra River Basin.

1

Erastus Asare Donkor reports that over a year of unregulated mining, popularly known as galamsey, has caused extensive damage to the river, turning it into a lifeless body of water.

2

To understand the full scale of destruction, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources initiated a nationwide fact-finding mission, sending a special advisory team to assess the situation.

3

At the Ankobra estuary, where the river meets the sea, the high tide temporarily concealed the pollution by pushing seawater upstream. However, after a 40-minute boat ride inland, the devastating reality became clear—thick, brown water filled with sediment and pollutants stretched as far as the eye could see.

4

In Ehyeamu, mining activities have encroached on the river, violating buffer zone policies. A miner who identified himself as Lopez presented documents for his concession but admitted to illegal activities at the site.

5

Further upstream at Awodua, the situation worsened as miners had constructed barriers, completely trapping the river within contained sections to facilitate mining operations.

6

At Prestea-Hemang, near the bridge, a shocking discovery was made—illegal miners had built massive embankments, halting the river’s flow entirely.

7

What was once a free-flowing river beneath the bridge is now a stagnant brown pool, held hostage by relentless mining activities.

8

9