Timeabu residents battle with acute water shortage due to galamsey

Young lady walking in search of portable water

Residents at Timeabu in the Ejisu-Juabeng Municipality of the Ashanti Region have been hit with an acute water crisis as result of illegal mining activities in the area.

The only source of drinking water, ‘Banko’ Stream, has been polluted while the two bore-holes in the community are also faulty.

The two boreholes, when they are functioning, pump contaminated water through the pipes, and due to this residents are unable to depend on this water source.

For the timely government clampdown on illegal mining, the situation would have been worse.

The pollution of the ‘Banko’ stream will impede the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Six by Timeabu and other surrounding communities.

The SDG-6 prescribes safe and affordable water supply for all by 2030.

The polluted ‘Banko’ stream

The once clean water from the stream has now turned brown and clayey, compound the suffering of the already deprived residents.

Children have had to travel long distances to access small amounts of clean water for domestic use.

The source of their plight is a small town at Asisirewa in the Bosomtwe District, where illegal mining popularly called ‘galamsey’ was once rife. These days, however, illegal mining activities have died down but not totally stopped.

“We don’t get potable water to drink and bath, when we use this [polluted water] we get a different kind of reactions on our bodies. It is affecting us. You should find ways to retreat the water for us,” Kwasi Kusi, a resident said.

He is worried because although he is poor he has to use the little money that trickles into his pocket to buy pure water to drink and bath. Many residents can relate to Kwasi’s challenge.

Economic activities, especially, farming is also under threat as people lose their source of livelihoods.

Fifty-seven-year-old Cosmos Boamah Darko is a farmer who fears his occupation is no longer secured and food shortage looms.

one of the dis-functioning water pump

“Illegal mining is wasting our water, wasting our time and wasting our land. Some time to come we will not have water to drink,” he laments.

A 2016 test conducted on the ‘Banko’ stream, by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) LAB revealed the water contained 110,000 milligrams per litre of micro-bacteria (faecal matter).

This falls way below the World Health Organisation standard for zero amount faecal matter to make it suitable for consumption.

At a sensitisation workshop in Kumasi in May this year, Chief Executive Officer of Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Worlanyo Kwaadwo Siabi, reveals almost every region in Ghana has a problem with water quality because the majority of people use substantially ground water sources.

“We have problems with iron and manganese and fluoride in water. In the Ashanti Region, we have almost 33 per cent of that. Virtually 33 per cent of all the systems that are provided have problems with iron and manganese and so must be treated,” he said.

According to him, the issue of arsenic is another emerging problem. Mr. Siabi observes arsenic pollution is on the increase.

“Scientists have related it to cancer and other serious health problems which measures are being put in place to address,” he said.

Mr. Siabi, however, revealed the agency is embarking on structural policy reforms on water and sanitation to address these challenges in the bid to provide safe water.

Story by Prince Appiah

Mine workers to withdraw services over threat on their lives

Mine workers have served a notice they may be forced to withdraw their services to the mines if the state cannot guarantee their safety.

Illegal mining, known as ‘galamsey’, remains a threat to life and property at the mines as workers constantly come under attack from intruders.

The issue of illegal mining activities gravely affected the industry during the first half of the year.

In the period under review, mining companies such as the AngloGold Ashanti and Obuasi Mine have witnessed a fearful attack by illegal small-scale miners on its concession, resulting in the death of a top management staff.

Also, Owere Mines in Konongo was not spared by the activities of illegal miners who invaded and took control of the mine’s concession for weeks, while owners and staff watched on helplessly.

Anglogold Ashanti, for instance, has out of desperation, sued Ghana government at the international Court of Arbitration over the issue.

Government in a response to the suit assured the mining giant that law and order will be restored at its concession in Obuasi.

“Today, our cherished members are living and working in fear. Their safety and security cannot be guaranteed anymore given the organised, sophisticated and aggressive nature of these ‘galamseyers’ and their attacks on these concessions,” General Secretary, Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, Prince William Ankrah has warned.

Prince William Ankrah (General Secretary of Ghana Mine Workers’ Union)

Government, last year amended portions of the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (ACT 703) that criminalizes illegal small scale mining activities as well as the confiscation of mining equipment from illegal miners.

Some industry players, however, blame government for appearing to fuel the perpetuation of this illegality which sounds quite worrying and disappointing, to say the least.

Mr. Ankrah indicated, “we reluctantly, however, wish to commend the government for taking the bold decision to amend the law with the view to dealing substantially with this menace”.

The Union believes that enforcement of the law still remains a major challenge and needs to be looked at closely and done devoid of politicisation and cronyism.

The General Secretary of the GMWU, Prince William Ankrah made the revelation in his address at the Union’s National Executive Council meeting in Kumasi.

At the Union’s National Executive Council meeting in Kumasi, Mr. Ankrah revealed the group will have to take precaution to protect members.

The Association, therefore, calls on government to renew its commitment and intensify its fight against this ravaging menace swiftly.

Story by Prince Appiah

ANKOBRA RIVER: Haven for fish turned into gold-washing tailings

The banks of River Ankobra River in the Prestea area in the western Region have become business hub for illegal miners whose activities cause pollution.

Ironically, locals appear not only apathetic but are contributing to the destruction as hundreds wash raw dust into refined gold in their most precious resource–the river.

Here is a report by Prince Appiah who visited the community as part media training on oil, gas and mining.

 

Adansi Chief threatens to de-stool subs who allow galamsey operations

The illegal mining or ‘Galamsey’ menace is compelling authorities to take drastic measures to address it.

“About nineteen water bodies have been polluted in communities in the Obuasi Municipality,” Chief Executive, Richmond Ofori Agyemang Boadi, reveals.

The Ministerial Task Force made up of both military and police has often raided mining areas like Obuasi in a crackdown on illegal miners.

Traditional leaders have often been criticized for alleged involvement directly or indirectly in ‘galamsey’ operations.

The Adansi Traditional Area which includes Obuasi, Fomena and Dompoase has witnessed wanton destruction of land and water bodies from indiscriminate activities of miners.

Anti-galamsey activists have often argued that before anybody hits a pick-axe or spade on the ground in search of gold, they will have to see a chief for permission one way or the other.

Paramount Chief of Adansi, Pagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie the second, is taking steps to halt the destruction.

He prescribes sanctions, including de-stoolment of any sub-chief who permits galamsey operations in communities under his jurisdiction.

More than 19 water bodies across the paramountcy have been polluted due to illegal mining.

“In order to do this effectively, I have to tackle it from the source. So I have asked all my chiefs that anybody who will perform the traditional rites (apay3 in Akan) for galamsey will be de-stooled,” he warned.

Akwamuhene and Regent of Bobrase, has already fallen casualty to the paramount chief’s axe, after he was relieved of his position early this year for allowing galamsey operations in his jurisdiction.

Obuasi Municipality as well as the Adansi North and South Districts fall within the Adansi Traditional Area.

The three assemblies have instituted what they call ‘’silent’ task force in their respective jurisdictions to tackle the destruction of land and other natural resources.

Officials believe this will augment the efforts of the paramount chief in addressing the menace.

District Chief Executive of Adansi North, Abdul Lateef Majdoub, says ‘galamsey’ has reduced by almost 90 per cent since the inception of collaboration almost a year ago.

“Because we know Nana will not give permission for any galamsey activities, anybody who comes to the districts, we have all resolved not to give permission but direct such a people to the paramount chief,” he emphasized.

Mr. Majdoub explains residents have also been sensitized to report activities of illegal miners in their communities.

Nana Bonsra Afriyie and the Adansi Traditional Council will assess the impact of the initiative at the end of this year.

“Hopefully, by end of this year we will assess to find out what impact this initiative has made, then we continue from there”, he pointed out.

To sustain it, chiefs and sub-chiefs under the traditional area have been asked to organize and advise their subjects to engage in small-scale mining which is permissible under the law.

Adansehene Nana Pagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie

Nana Bonsra Afriyie is by the country’s high unemployment rate which compels some people to venture into Galamsey which they find lucrative.

As a result, he indicates, fighting the menace has become difficulty to the extent that perpetrators arm themselves in order to resist arrest.

“I have heard that there are many powerful hands from all sectors behind this operation so if you want to do something like this, they will sabotage you,” Nana lamented.

We need the support of security services and other state agencies, including assemblies, to successfully fight the menace.

Story by Prince Appiah